REPORT OF THE SECRETARY. 



3!) 



general works are retained in the central library room. The librarian 

 keeps, of course, an accurate record of the disposition of each book, so 

 that any applicant can be referred at ouce to the place of deposit of 

 mch book in possession of the Museum that he may wish. 



Attention is again called to the importance of an arrangement by 

 rtiiich a card catalogue of all books in the libraries of the various De- 

 partments can be kept in charge of the Congressional Library, so that 

 the actual depository, and the most convenient one, of any book may be 

 indicated to an applicant. 



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

 by the Smithsonian Institution during the year 1883, and transferred 

 to the Library of Congress and the National Museum : 



Description. 



Volumes 



Parts of volumes. 



Pamphlets 



Maps and charts . 



Octavo or 

 smaller. 



Quiirto or 

 larger. 



1,312 

 4, U60 



2,200 



Total . 



442' 

 4,170 

 368 



Total. 



1,754 



8, 134 



2,568 



219 



12.675 



RELATIONS OF THE SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION TO OTHER BODIES. 



The hearty co-operation of the various Departments of the Govern- 

 ment in the scientific work of the Smithsonian Institution, whether re- 

 lating more particularly to the National Museum or to the solution of 

 scientific problems iu general, has never been more strongly marked 

 than during the past year ; and it is with great pleasure that I take 

 this occasion to make proper mention of the same. 



The Navy Department. — Previous reports have referred to the experi- 

 ment initiated by the Navy Department of detailing six ensigns for the 

 service of the National Museum. The object of this measure of the De- 

 partment was to impart to a body of young naval officers such training 

 as might enlarge their sphere of mental activity, and enable them to 

 utilize in the interests of the Department and of science the many op- 

 portunities of research and investigation presenting themselves in the 

 course of their cruises and other duties. 



The first detail of this kind was made in the autumn of 1881 ; the 

 second in 1882, and the third in the autumn of 1883. 



These gentlemen, as mentioned hereafter, have all been assigned to 

 duty with the curators of the Museum and assistants of the United States 

 Geological Survey, their own preferences being considered as far as pos- 

 sible. 



I am very happy to say that the experiment has proved to be a de- 

 cided success, the officers applying themselves to their work with great 

 diligence, and obtaining a fair knowledge of the subjects upon which 



