REPORT OF THE SECRETARY, 41 



infonnation tbey contain in his work, or of baviii-g standards of com- 

 parison for bis own draughtsmen and engravers. The Smithsonian In- 

 stitution lias been accumulating material of this kind for nearly forty 

 years, embracing many thousands of sheets, and the offer of this to 

 Major Powell was promptly accepted, with the assurance that it would 

 be properly classed and arranged, and be at all times at the command 

 of the Institution. 



The co-operation of the Secretary of the Interior has been especially 

 manifested in connection with the publications of the National Museum, 

 and of the printing required for labels, blanks, &c. All the expendi- 

 tures of ai)propriations made by Congress for preservation of the col- 

 lections of the Government, the construction of cases and fixtures, the 

 payment of salaries of Museum employes, &c., are made through the 

 disbursing officer of the Interior Department, Mr. G. W. Evans, and the 

 annual estimates for the service of the Museum, for postage, printing, 

 and blanks, are made through its Secretary, 



Railroad and Steamboat Lines and other Corporations. — As in previous 

 years, the various railroad lines of the country and the foreign steam- 

 shix^ companies have rendered ajd either in the entire reduction of 

 charges or through a very large remission of charges. The number has 

 increased of steamship companies furnishing free freights to the parcels 

 of the Smithsonian Institution, especially those connected with the In- 

 ternational Exchanges; a list of these is subjoined. The services ren- 

 dered by these companies is of the utmost possible benefit, not only in 

 the very great reduction of transportation to the Institution, but also 

 in the greater care exercised in handling the packages. Among the 

 additional companies to which the Institution is under obligation may be 

 specially mentioned the Atlas Steamship Company, the vessels of which, 

 under the direction of Messrs. Pim, Forwood & Co., make connection 

 with nearly all ports of the West Indies and Central America. 



The Institution lis indebted to the Merchants and Miners' Transporta- 

 tion Company for greatly reduced rates of freight between Washington 

 and Boston. This is a privilege of great importance, as sometimes there 

 is a large amount of freight to be carried by this route. 



Mr. C. G. Priudle, a well-known botanical collector, undertook an 

 exploration of the region adjacent to the boundary line between the 

 United States and Mexico west of El Paso, and at the request of the 

 Smithsonian Institution the Atlantic and Pacific Eailroad Company 

 gave passes to himself and assistant, which greatly facilitated their 

 work. An exceptionally wet season brought about an unusual develop- 

 ment of vegetation, and many points of interest were visited by Mr. 

 Prindle in the course of his labors with rich results. 



To General Manager Kobinson, of the Atchison, Topeka and Santa 

 F6 Railroad, the Institution is indebted for a free pass for the year 1885, 

 to be used by one of its employes in an explor,atio.n of the natural his- 

 tory along the line of that road. 



