EEPOKT OF THE SECRETARY. 61 



of its surplus material as has been made by the Smithsonian Institution 

 within the last twenty-five years. There is scarcely a public museum in 

 the country, especially if connected with a scientific society, university 

 or college, that has not received a share. In later years these distribu- 

 tions have been extensive including, as they have, the surplus stock 

 gathered by the extensive operations of the United States Fish Com- 

 mission. 



An additional advantage connected with these distributions is the 

 fact that nothing is ever sent out without being thoroughly identified 

 and named by competent masters, so that the objects constitute types 

 of the utmost value. 



The extent to which this distribution has been carried during 1880 

 may be understood from the fact that it embraced over 14,000 specimens, 

 each accompanied by labels showing name, locality, &c. Tlie total num- 

 ber of specimens distributed to date is not much short of half a million 

 (actually 407,255). 



Assistants in the Museum. — A. large ai:)proi)riation was made by Con- 

 gress for the service in the National Museum required by the erection 

 of the new building, and available first in 1880. This required a reor- 

 ganization of the entire force and a more specific definition of the duties 

 and responsibilities to the Institution. All i)ersons who had been em- 

 ployed received a specific letter of appointment, a condition of which 

 requiring formal acceptance in writing was that the incumbent, during 

 his connection with the Institution, should make no private collections 

 in natural history of any kind whatever. This rule is in force in all the 

 European museums, and is considered absolutely necessary for their inter- 

 ests, as the curators have ample opportunities of inducing the diversion 

 of material from the museum to themselves, if they are so inclined. In 

 the experience of the Smithsonian Institution there has been no reason 

 to suppose that this danger is to be guarded against; but it was thought 

 best to establish a general principle, so that there should be no misun- 

 derstanding at any time. All the persons appointed have agreed to the 

 condition, which is now in full force. 



Courtesies from Foreign Museums. — The authorities and trustees of 

 the British Museum have been engaged for several years in the pre- 

 l^aration and erection of new buildings at South Kensington, for the 

 accommodation of the natural history collections, transferred from the 

 location where they have been housed for so many years ; and as it was 

 l^resumed that the architects and curators of the museum would make 

 a very exhaustive study in regard to what was needed for the exhibition 

 of the specimens in the new building, application was made to Dr. Giin- 

 ther, the chief of the zoological department, for such information as he 

 might feel at liberty to render. He kindly and promptly responded by 

 sending numerous drawings and specifications, whichhave been carefully 

 studied and made good use of in connection with the arrangements for 

 the National Museum building. 



