REPORT OF THE SECRETARY. 41 



information tlioy contain in Ids work, or of bavin-j^- standards of com- 

 parison for bis own draugbtsmen and engravers. Tbe Smitbsonian In- 

 stitution lias been accumulating material of tbis kind for nearlj"^ forty 

 years, embrai-ing many tbonsands of sbeets, and tbe offer of tbis to 

 Major Powell was promptly accepted, witb tbe assurance tbat it would 

 be properly classed and arranged, and be at all times at the command 

 of tbe Institution. 



Tbe co-operation of the Secretary of the Interior has been especially 

 manifested in connection with tbe publications of the National Museum, 

 and of tbe printing required for labels, blanks, &c. All the expendi- 

 tures of appropriations made by Congress for jireservation of tbe col- 

 lections of tbe Government, tbe construction of cases and fixtures, tbe 

 payment of salaries of Museum employes, &c., are made tbrougli tbe 

 disbursing officer of tbe Interior Department, Mr. G. W. Evans, and tbe 

 annual estimates for the service of tbe Museum, for postage, printing, 

 and blanks, are made through its Secretary. 



Railroad and Steamboat. Lines and other Corporations. — As in previous 

 years, the various railroad, lines of the country and tbe foreign steam- 

 ship companies have rendered aid. either in the entire reduction of 

 charges or through a very large remission of charges. The number has 

 increased of steamship companies furnishing free freights to the parcels 

 of tbe Smitbsonian Institution, especially those connected witb the In- 

 ternational Exchanges; a list of these is subjoined. The services ren- 

 dered by these companies is of tbe utmost possible benefit, not only in 

 the very great reduction of transportation to the Institution, but also 

 in the greater care exercised, in handling the packages. Among the 

 additional companies to which the Institution is under obligation may be 

 specially mentioned the Atlas Steamship Company, the vessels of which, 

 under the direction of Messrs. Pim, Forwood & Co., make connection 

 with nearly all ports of the West Indies and Central America. 



Tbe Institution is indebted to the Merchants and Miners' Transporta- 

 tion Company for greatly reduced rates of freight between Washington 

 and Boston. This is a privilege of great importance, as sometimes there 

 is a large amount of freight to be carried by this route. 



Mr. C. G. Prindle, a well-known botanical collector, undertook an 

 exploration of tbe region adjacent to the boundary line between the 

 United States and Mexico west of El Paso, and at the request of the 

 Smitbsonian Institution tbe Atlantic and Pacific Eailroad Company 

 gave passes to himself and assistant, which greatly facilitated their 

 work. An exceptionally wet season brought about an unusual develop- 

 ment of vegetation, and many points of interest were visited by Mr. 

 Prindle in the course of his labors witb rich results. 



To General Manager Kobinson, of tbe Atchison, Topeka and Santa 

 Fe Railroad, the Institution is indebted for a free pass for the year 1885, 

 to be used by one of its employes in an exploration of tbe natural his- 

 tory along the line of that road. 



