18 REPORT OF THE SECRETARY. 



meus ; but only a small amount is conveniently disposed of in this man- 

 ner, and by far the greater proportion is issued without any expecta- 

 tion or desire for a return. The table appended to this Report will show 

 what has been done up to date, as the distributions of the year 1880. 



The distributions indicated have represented a fair average for the 

 year 1880. It is expected that in the year 1881, the amount will be 

 vastly increased by the disposal of the Centennial collections, which 

 have been so long stored in the Armory building, and which it is ex- 

 pected will soon be transferred to the new Museum building, just com- 

 pleted. These objects will be principally those relating to the mineral 

 kingdom, the ores and building stones being in the largest proportion. 

 Api)lications for collections from establishments not well known, are 

 usually referred to the member of Congress in the district in which the 

 applicant belongs, and an exjiression of opinion is invited as to the char- 

 acter and standing of the same. 



As a general rule, no specimens are sent away without being authori- 

 tatively and accurately labeled by an expert, so that they become stand- 

 ards of reference. 



LIBRARY. 



The additions to the library of the Institution through its system of 

 scientific exchanges, continue to be very large. During the past year, 

 the books, i)amphlets, and charts received, have amounted to 8,570 

 pieces ; a portion of which consists of parts or continuations of volumes, 

 such as the current proceedings and transactions of learned societies, 

 and the accessions to established scientific journals. Making due allow- 

 ance for such fragmentary continuations, the whole number of complete 

 volumes may be estimated at G,000 titles; of which by far the greater 

 portion has been as usual transferred to the custody of the Library of 

 •Congress, where they constitute an important section of the great 

 national collection. 



In this statement is not included the large number of volumes received 

 under the arrangement for international government exchanges, and 

 -sent <lirectly to the Library of Congress without being opened or cata- 

 logued .at the Institution. 



Statement of the bools, ma^js, and charts received by the Smithsonian Insti- 

 tittion during the year 1880, and transferred to the Library of Con- 

 gress. 



Tolumes : 



Octavo or smaller 806 



Quarto or larger , . . . . 337 



1,143 



Parts of volumes.: 



Octavo or smaller 2, 577 



Quarto or larger 2, 003 



5, 180 



