REPORT OF THE SECRETARY. 33 



of the Institution, together with the " General Appendix," which com- 

 ])rises the usual scientific record for the year, namely, an account of the 

 progress in Astronomy, by E.S.Holden; in Geology, by T. Sterry Hunt; 

 in Geography, by F. M. Green; in Meteorology, by Cleveland Abbe; in 

 Physics, by G. F. Barker; in Chemistry, by H. Carrington Bolton ; in Min- 

 eralogy, by Edward S. Dana; in Botany, by W. G. Farlow; in Zoology, 

 by Theodore Gill ; and in Anthropology, by O. T. Mason ; concludiug with 

 a selection of miscellaneous papers on American aboriginal remains, 

 contributed by correspondents of the Institution. The Eeport forms an 

 octavo volume of xx + 855 pages, the archaeological x)apers being illus- 

 trated by 46 wood-cuts and topographic sketches of mound localities. 



The Annual Eeport for 1883, I regret to say, has not yet been pub- 

 lished. 



The reports on the progress during the year of the various branches 

 of science have been continued, and meet with very hearty favor, espe- 

 cially on the part of teachers, who find in them material for presenta- 

 tion to their classes, not otherwise accessible at the time, excepting to 

 those who have command of a vast number of scientific journals. 

 Among these reports, and one of special interest, is that upon the prog- 

 ress of meteorology, prepared by Professor Abbe. To make this spec- 

 ially serviceable, a detailed index was necessary ; but it was not possi- 

 ble to have this completed before it became necessary to put the report 

 to press. The index was, however, prepared, and has been appended 

 to the extra copies. 



INTERNATIONAI. EXCHANGES. 



The operations of this important branch of the Institution have been 

 carried on with vigor during the past year. Great inconvenience was 

 experienced during the winter of 1883-'84 owing to the limited quarters 

 available for exchange work during the reconstruction of the eastern 

 portion of the Smithsonian building. On the completion of the first 

 Qoor of this edifice five rooms were assigned to this department and 

 two in the basement ; several new assistants were appointed, and I am 

 bappy to state that amj^le facilities ar6 now provided for the prompt 

 and efficient discharge of business. The work, however, is constantly 

 growing and demands unceasing attention. 



Mr. George H. Boehmer, in charge of the international exchanges, has 

 oeen in Europe for a large part of the year, engaged in taking the neces- 

 sary measures to improve and reorganize the relationships of the Smith- 

 Bonian Institution to the Euroi>ean service of international exchanges. 

 A full account of his operations will be given in the next annual report. 



Congressional Aid. — The appropriation by Congress for the exchange 

 system, under direction of the Institution, was increased for the year 

 1884-'85 from $7,500 to $10,000. Without this aid it would be impossi- 

 ble for the Institution to continue its gratuitous service to the libraries 

 S. Mis. 33 3 



