REPORT OF THE SECRETARY. 



59 



During the year 08,647 packages were received from abroad for distribution, and 

 87,149 packages of domestic iniblications were sent to correspondents outside the 

 Tnited States, making a total of 125,796. The aggregate weight of these exchanges 

 was 396,418 pounds, or an average of little over 3 pounds ])er package. It will thus 

 be seen, by conii)arison with the last rei^ort, that while the total weight of the 

 exchanges received and transmitted during the year 1900-1901 exceeded those of the 

 year following by 17,859 pounds, the nund)er of packages handled during tlie lattei- 

 year exceeded those of tlie preceding year l)y 4,73(5. 



The number of packages received frouL abroad for United States Government estab- 

 lishments aggregated 11,290, while those sent under authority of Congress and by 

 United States Government departments and l>ureaus numbered 52,871. Elinunating 



Fig. 1.— rhnrt representing- the increase of exchange transmissions in tons of 2,000 pounds, from ISfiO 

 to 1902, divided into periods of five years. 



all transmissions in belialf of the United States Government, the scientilic i)ublica- 

 tions forwarded or received by societies and individuals aggregated 34,278 outgoing 

 and 27,357 incoming. 



The several classes and the number of i)ackages in each class, together witli tlie 

 percentage which each sulxlivision bears to the whole, are as follows: 

 United States Government exchanges, 51 per cent: 



Sent to designated depositories aliroad under the act of INIarch 



2, 1 867 25, 358 



Sent by United States Government establishments 27, 513 



Received from abroad for the f.ibrary of Congress 5, 946 



Receive<l for ail otlier United States ( ioveriimenl institutions 5,344 



64, 161 



