8 REPORT OF THE SECRETARY. 



Iii addition to this, the exhibition by the United States, at London, 

 of illustrations of its fisheries, (the freight bulk of which amounted to 

 not less than 24,000 cubic feet, and consisting, in very large part, of 

 new objects and articles, obtained at the expense of the appropriations 

 of Congress for that purpose,) must also be provided for; as also the 

 very valuable and extensive collections in mineralogy, geology, and 

 metallurgy made by the American Institute of Mining Engineers, and 

 presented to the United States, but stored in Philadelphia, awaiting 

 an appropriation for its transfer. 



It may be stated in brief, therefore, that, at the present time, the vast 

 building, finished scarcely more than two years ago, is now filled to 

 overflowing; while there is additional material enough on hand belong- 

 ing to the Government to occupy fully half of a second building of the 

 same size, and with a probability that the entire space will be required 

 before the construction can be accomplished, even supposing that it is 

 begun at the earliest possible time. 



The Smithsonian Institution has always acted in hearty co-operation 

 with the affiliated scientific branches of the Government even where 

 no official relationship existed, this being notably the case in regard to 

 the United States Geological Survey. This important Bureau, in the 

 rapid increase of its work, has been greatly hampered by want of the 

 necessary accommodations ; and it was with much gratification that the 

 Institution proffered a share of the new building to the Director, Major 

 Powell, for the accommodation of his collections, and for the office and 

 laboratory work. It was, however, unable to do as much as was desir- 

 able, owing to the inadequacy of quarters for the purpose. 



Should an appropriation be made for the new building, for which the 

 Board authorized application to Congress, it is intended to share it with 

 the Geological Survey so that it may have all the facilities required for 

 its important work. 



It will be remembered that Congress in the act of 1846 set aside for 

 the use of the Smithsonian Institution 20 acres in the southwest corner 

 of the square bounded by Seventh and Twelfth streets, and nortli and 

 south B streets, the center of the Smithsonian building being exactly 

 in the middle of the square. It was in the southeast quarter of this 

 reservation that the new Museum building was erected, forming a very 

 unsymmetrical annex to the original Smithsonian building. It is now 

 proposed to take the southwest corner of the reservation for the new 

 edifice, which, when completed, will be essentially of the general char- 

 acter of the present Museum building, and will restore the proper archi- 

 tectural balance. 



Congress has now been asked to make an appropriation for one 

 wing of this new building to be specially fitted for the use of the offi- 

 cers and laboratories of the National Museum and of the Geological 

 Survey; and, if the amount can be obtained at the present session, 



