REPORT OX EXCHANGES. 143 



the world. The increase to its library, from this source, during the year 

 has been 11,789 books, and its total number of books received from the 

 exchange of its publications with scientific establishments abroad since 

 its organization now represent 177,41*0 books. The number of packages 

 received from abroad for scientific establishments and individuals in the 

 United States and British America during the year 1882 is 8,359 pack- 

 ages, and a total of 103,121 packages since the introduction of the 

 exchange system. The packages sent abroad through this channel in 

 1882 were 58,017, representing a bulk of 2,950 cubic feet, and the entire 

 transmissions abroad from the United States since introduction of 

 theexchange system represents a bulk of 35,525 cubic feet, weighing 

 1,100,113 pounds. 



The system now in operation in its methodical and business-like char- 

 acter of bookkeeping could readily bo extended so as to meet all re- 

 quirements and include every known society in the world desiring ex- 

 changes with the United States. 



The French Government, however, does not appear to be particularly 

 anxious to promote a general scientific and literary exchange to any 

 great extent. At her request Mr. Ch amies intioduced the following 

 modification : 



"It remains, however, well understood that in such cases (the exchange 

 between societies) the duty of the bureaus will be confined to the transmis- 

 sion, free of cost, of the works exchanged, and that those bureaus will not, 

 in any manner, take the initiative to bring about the establishment of such 

 relations.'' 



The Governments of Austria and Switzerland express themselves 



through their delegates to the effect that the bureaus of exchange shall 

 confine themselves to the exchange of Government documents and leave 

 the exchange between societies to themselves. 

 Mr. Alvin, of the Belgian commission, states: 



"There is a bureau of exchanges in the United States, the Smithsonian 

 Institution, but which, not being official, docs not fully answer the object 

 ice aim at" 



The general impression of the delegates at the conference seems 

 to have been that the Smithsonian Institution, as a private establish- 

 ment, has gradually possessed itself of the exchanges, both of scientific 

 and of Government documents, without, authority, and cannot be con- 

 sidered as fully responsible, or equal to the bureaus established in con- 

 sequence of the convention.] 



Comments on the Articles of Convention. 



[Art. 2. This article in its original form was to include as (3) The pub- 

 lications of academies and learned societies, of universities and schools, as 

 far as the Government shall be able to obtain them. 



This paragraph was discussed at great length and objected to by the 

 delegate from Switzerland on the same grounds as would prevent the 



