REPORT OF THE SECRETARY. 45 



should be distributed as widely as possible to scientific institutions in 

 this country and abroad, in order that they may be used in identifying 

 the species and genera which have been described. 



Second. To promote education, as full sets as possible of general 

 duplicates, properly labeled, should be presented to colleges and other 

 institutions of learning that profess to teach the principal branches of 

 natural history. 



Third. It should be distinctly understood that due credit is to be 

 given to the Institution in the labeling of the specimens, and in all 

 accounts which may be published of them, since such credit is not only 

 due to the name of Smithson, but also to the directors of the establish- 

 ment as vouchers to the world that they are faithfully carrying out the 

 intention of the bequest. 



Fourth. It may be proper in the distribution to institutions abroad, 

 as a general rule, to require, in case type specimens to illustrate 

 species which have been described by foreign authors may be wanted 

 for comparison or other uses in this country, that they be furnished at 

 any time they may be required. 



Fifth. In return for specimens which may be presented to colleges 

 and other educational establishments, collections from localities in 

 their vicinity, which may be desirable, shall be furnished when re- 

 quired. 



The disposition of the undescribed specimens in the collection of the 

 Institution i's a matter which requires special consideration, and 

 involves in every case of application for the use of them the necessity 

 of deliberation to guard against the falling of the specimens into 

 improper hands, and prevent as far as possible the charge of favoritism. 



It is not impossible that in some cases, hasty and imperfect descrip- 

 tions have been published of specimens belonging to the Institution, 

 through the desire of the author to connect his name with a new 

 species, rather than from an honest endeavor to advance knowledge. 

 It would, however, have been difficult to refuse any person the privilege 

 of examining new species, who professed to be actuated alone by the 

 desire of having an opportunity of laboring in a particular field of 

 investigation ; but it is clear that special encouragement and preference 

 should be given to those who undertake the more difficult and laborious 

 task of forming complete monographs. 



It is not in accordance with the policy of the Institution to subject 

 a person who is engaged in a special line of research, to the expense of 

 residing in Washington during the period perhaps of many months 

 required for the investigation, but, when necessary, he is allowed to 



