LETTER 



FBOM THE 



SECRETARY OF THE SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION, 



ACCOMPANYING 



The annual report of the Board of Regents of that Institution for the year 



1879. 



March 10, 1880. — Ordered to be printed. 



Smithsonian Institution, 



Washington, March 10, 1880. 

 Gentlemen : In behalf of the Board of Eegents, I have the honor to 

 submit to the Congress of the United States the annual report of the 

 operations, expenditures, and condition of the Smithsonian Institution 

 for the year 1879. 



I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant, 



Spencer F. Baird, 

 Secretary Smithsonian Institution. 

 Hon. Wm. A. Wheeler, 



President of the United States Senate, and 



Hon. S. J. Randall, 



Speaker of the House of Representatives. 



