REPORT OF THE SECRETARY. 21 



manently satisfiictory measures on the part of the European Govern- 

 ments, and which can perhaps be obviated by a personal representation 

 in Europe, is caused by the entirely different understanding of the ex- 

 change question in those countries, resulting from the exchange conven- 

 tions of Paris in 1875 and 1880, and Brussels in 1883, and by the absence 

 of sufficient legislation by them for securing copies of official publica- 

 tions for exchange purposes. 



The governmental bureaus of most of the European states issue their 

 publications through the medium of publishing houses, receiving from 

 these about 50 per cent, from the sales of the books. Copies for gra- 

 tuitous distribution, therefore, are not issued, but the books represent 

 a trade value which is accepted by the exchange Commissions (estab- 

 lished on the basis adopted at the Paris Convention of 1875), who are 

 allowed only to exchange value for value. 



The publications of the United States, being issued at the public ex- 

 pense, and not considered as purchased (although they are quoted at 

 very high prices in the book trade, and especially abroad), it becomes 

 under these circumstances difficult to obtain in Europe satisfactory 

 returns. It is therefore suggested by Mr. Boehmer that in future 

 transactions the market value, as given by the foreign book trade, be 

 accepted, which would enable our Government to obtain more satisfac- 

 tory returns. 



Preliminary arrangements have been effected with the Imperial Gov- 

 ernment of Austria for a complete exchange of all the official and sci- 

 entific publications of the two Governments. 



The Government of Uruguay has also forwarded to the Smithsonian 

 Institution, through the United States Department of State, proposi- 

 tions relative to a full and permanent exchange of official public docu- 

 ments. 



LIBRARY. 



The following is a statement of the books, maps, and charts received 

 by the Smithsonian Institution from January 1 to June 30, 1885 : 



Volumes : 



Octavo or smaller 688 



Quarto or larger 222 



910 



Parts of volumes : 



Octavo or smaller 1, 971 



Quarto or larger 2, 238 



4,209 



Pamphlets : 



Octavo or smaller .' 4, 612 



Quarto or larger 256 



4,868 



Maps 354 



Total 10, 341 



