REPORT OF THE SECRETARY. 49 



The operations of the Commission Francaise des ^changes interna- 

 tionaux, inaugurated in 1878, have constantly improved in extent and 

 efficiency through 1879, a large number of boxes having been exchanged 



between it and the Smithsonian Institution to the entire satisfaction of 

 both parties. Numerous applications have been made by the French 

 bureau to the Smithsonian Institution forspecial works, public or private, 

 required by the governmental bureaus, especially for the national library, 

 the ministry of public instruction, etc. On receipt of these applications 

 circulars were sent to various parties interested, and a large number of 

 acceptable returns promptly received and duly forwarded by the Insti- 

 tution. On the other hand applications by the Institution in behalf of 

 American bodies have been satisfactorily answered. This feature of the 

 system of international exchanges is one of great importance. 



In addition to the official applications for special publications of the 

 United States, made through the system of international exchanges, one 

 was presented by the French minister to the Smithsonian Institution 

 for the reports of the United States Fish Commission, those of the sev- 

 eral State fish commissions, and any other documents serving to illustrate 

 the steps taken for the propagation and utilization of fishes in the 

 United States. This request was in behalf of the Senate of France, 

 which recently appointed a commission to investigate the relations 

 between citizens and the State in respect to the rights and conditions 

 of fishing in both fresh and salt waters. A circular was accordingly 

 addressed to the parties indicated, and quite a complete series of doc- 

 uments was obtained and transmitted to Monsieur Outrey, the minister. 

 He has acknowledged with thanks the receipt of the package, and 

 given assurance of his appreciation of the courtesy. 



It has already been explained that the Smithsonian Institution not 

 only serves as a medium of exchange to institutions and individuals in 

 the United States, but also to these of Canada, Central America, 

 Mexico, the West Indies, and South America. An extra amount of labor 

 has been imposed upon the Institution, during the past year, owing, in 

 large part, to the interruption of operations in 1878, caused by the death 

 of Professor Henry. The accumulated material of that year has, how- 

 ever, all been disposed of, together with the receipts of 1879; the aggre- 

 gate being shown in the accompanying schedule. It is quite likely that 

 operations in this line during 1880 willbe but little, behind those of 1879, 

 as, for years, there has been a steady increase in the bulk of the ex- 

 changes; and this is not likely to be interrupted. 



In the preceding report reference was made to the adoption of a rule, 

 under authority granted by the Board of Eegents, by which packages 

 received from the government bureaus were charged a uniform rate of 

 five cents per pound for packing, boxing, and shipping to destination. 

 This has been carried into effect, but has only secured the return of 

 about a hundred dollars, evidently not a sufficient sum to affect ma 

 terially the expense of the exchange system — a very onerous burden 

 S. Mis. 54 4 



