REPORT OF THE SECRETARY. 



17 



gress, witliout being entered on the records of this Institution. A 

 detailed report in an appendix, gives all the information possessed un- 

 der this head, including the aggregate of such distribution, the agencies 

 through which it has been effected, and the parties interested in the 

 exchange. 



List of governmenis in exchange with the Government of the United States, 

 and to whom box " JV" teas sent in 1880.* 



DISTRIBUTION. 



Distribution of Publications. — One of the operations of the Institution 

 requiring constant attention and involving unich labor and expense is 

 that of distribution of publications. Aside from the sending of books 

 and parcels through the great international exchange system there is a 

 constant demand upon the institution for works it has published or those 

 of a scientific character sui^posed to be at its disposal. These demands 

 have become so numerous and are made by so many persons unknown to 

 the officers, while the supply of books is so limited, that it became neces- 

 sary to adopt a new rule in reference to distribution. Each applicant 

 is now required to furnish evidence that he has contributed in some 

 way to the library, museum, or collections of the Institution, and an ex- 

 change is thus established, intended to supersede the former promiscu- 

 ous method of bestowing a gift. It may be mentioned that latterly no 

 lists have been kept of persons entitled to receive from year to year the 

 publications or even the reports of the Institution. It is necessary that 

 direct application be made by each person for any work desired. 



Distribution of Specimens. — In view of the immense mass of material 

 received at the National Museum from the various government expedi- 

 tions and the geological survey, as well as from the contributions of cor- 

 respondents, it will be readily understood that the duplicates have ac- 

 cumulated very rapidly for many years and that the proper disposal of 

 this surplits has occupied the attention of the Smithsonian Institution. 



Under the organic law the Institution is authorized to increase the 

 collections of the National Museum by the exchange of duxdicate speci- 



* For the Government of Italy 13 boxes (A N) are ready for shipment. 



S. Mis. 31 2 



