REPORT OF THE SECRETARY. 11 



Tsao Ju, with his staff, accompanied by Hon. Peter Parker, one of the 

 Eegents. These gentlemen seemed much interested in the work of the 

 establishment, and promised hearty co-operation on the part of the 

 Chinese Government in the way of exchanges, contributions to the Mu- 

 seum, &c. 



ROUTINE WORK OF THE INSTITUTION. 



Administration. — The personnel of the Smithsonian Institution has 

 remained practically unchanged since the last report. 



Correspondence.— In all the public Departments, the correspondence 

 constitutes a very large part of the office work, and the fact that the 

 Smithsonian Institution has come to be, in a measure, a bureau of in- 

 formation, adds greatly to the number of letters received and requir- 

 ing responses. 



It is a rule of the Institution, observed from its earliest days, that 

 no respectful request for information ever goes without an answer — 

 either supplying what is wanted, or exj^ressing inability to do so. In 

 the latter case references are frequently given, which answer the desired 

 object. 



The known interest of the Institution in the subject of Anthropology 

 induces many notices to be sent to it of the discovery of Indian relics, 

 their characteristics, and other details; the more interesting portions 

 of which are usually extracted and published in the annual report. The 

 number, however, has become so great that at present it is impossible 

 to give them in detail, as heretofore ; but a careful abstract is made, for 

 publication in the annual report, by Prof. O. T. Mason, the editor in 

 charge of this subject. 



The correspondence with all parts of the United States— largely, how- 

 ever, through members of Congress — in connection with the supposed 

 discovery of valuable minerals, has, as heretofore, represented a very 

 considerable portion of the business. 



Applications for position in the Institution and its allied departments 

 still continue to be numerous. At best there can be but very few vacan- 

 cies in the administrative and laboring force, and hence it is rarely 

 possible to give a favorable response to any such application, whatever 

 the merit of the applicant, or however strong and satisfactory the testi- 

 monials presented. The unpleasant necessity accordingly remains of 

 almost uniformly declining the urgent appeals of those seeking official 

 position and occupation. 



RESEARCHES AND EXPLORATIONS. 



During no previous year has the Smithsonian Institution been con- 

 nected with so many different and important explorations of various 

 regions, especially of America, as during that which has j ust closed ;. 

 and the results of the work are of commensurate value. 



