REPORT OF THE SECRETARY. 63 



SPECIAL DONATIONS. 



Among the contributions or donations to the Institution, during the 

 year, are several that <lo not belong directly under the head of natural 

 history, but of which mention should be made. 



Mr. F. B. Sanborn, agent of the Hydropneumatic Fire Extinguishing 

 Company, presented to the Institution a specimen of his apparatus in 

 working order. This has been placed where it will be most available 

 in the very undesirable contingency of a fire in the building. 



The Herring Fire-proof Safe Company, of New York, some months ago 

 intimated its willingness to present to the Institution a first-class speci- 

 men of its work, and, as among the specimens in the National Museum 

 are some masses of native gold, precious stones, and other valuable 

 property, it was thought best to request that the offer be supplied in 

 the form of a safe suitable for exhibiting such objects.* 



A plan of a safe was accordingly prepared with doors on opposite sides 

 and when opened revealing series of glass shelves, inclosed and secured 

 by plate glass fronts; the whole apparatus to be seven feet high, four 

 feet wide, and two feet deep. This was put under construction by the 

 company, has been completed, and is now ready for transmission to 

 Washington whenever called for. It is proposed to use this as part of 

 the fixtures of the new National Museum. 



Another contribution of a somewhat similar character was made to the 

 Institution by the Yale Lock Company, who constructed and presented 

 a post-office box for the use of the employes. In addition to the clerks 

 and assistants of the Smithsonian Institution and National Museum, 

 there are a number of gentlemen having rooms in the building, who, 

 although receiving no salary, render important service in the supervision 

 of collections and identification of specimens. Nearly all these persons 

 receive their mail at the Institution, and it has heretofore been difficult 

 to properly subdivide and place such matter in the hands of those for 

 whom it was destined. Under the new arrangement each individual now 

 has his own box, with a key which alone will open it, and the mail as 

 received is properly assorted in the boxes. This post-office box consti- 

 tutes quite an ornamental piece of furniture, and supplies the desired 

 accommodations. 



MEETINGS, ETC. 



National Academy of Sciences. — For several years after its organization 

 the annual meetings of the National Academy of Sciences were held at 

 the Smithsonian Institution, although, even with the limited number 

 usually attending, it was difficult to furnish the necessary accommoda- 

 tions. In view of the increasing number of members of the academy, 

 and of the visitors attending the reading of papers, it was concluded to 

 make other arrangements for 1879, and, accordingly, the pastor and 

 vestry of All Souls' Church having kindly consented to grant the use 



