100 REPORT ON THE OPERATIONS OF EXCHANGES. 



During the year 18,886, packages, with an aggregate weight of 78,732 

 pounds, have been received — an increase of 800 pacliages over the year 

 1883 — which were sent in 537 boxes, this being 120 boxes more that in 

 1883. A detailed statement is presented in the appended general sta- 

 tistics. 



Domestic Exchange Division. — As stated in the introductory, Mr. Scud- 

 der, the assistant in charge of this branch, had been appointed to as- 

 sume the duties of the office during my absence in Europe on business 

 of exchanges. Of the work performed in this division, I submit Mr. 

 Scudder's report, as follows : 



"The number of packages received and distributed to the United 

 States during the year 3881 was 10,236. Of these 8,094 were sent to 

 societies and 2,142 to individuals. 



"The number of packages distributed by the domestic exchange dur- 

 ing the year 1883 is somewhat (704) larger than the above, because of 

 a slight modification of the scope of this branch of the exchange. 



"During the year 1883 packages for Canada were forwarded by the 

 domestic exchange, whereas in 1884 they were forwarded by the foreign 

 exchanges. Again, in 1883 and the first eight months of 1884, all books 

 for the Smithsonian Institution, whether received by mail or otherwise, 

 were entered on the exchange records, but for the last four months of 

 1884 all books for the Smithsonian Institution coming by mail were sent 

 direct to the Smithsonian Institution library without passing through 

 the exchanges." 



Government Exchange Division. — In last year's report the suggestions 

 made in 1882, of placing this work in the hands of one assistant, to the 

 exclusion of any other duty, has been, in part at least, inaugurated. 

 A card catalogue has been prepared, and a clerk is intrusted with the 

 proper management of this duty, in addition to such other work as may 

 become necessary, like copying, «&c., while the receiving and shipping 

 is still done by the assistant in charge of the foreign branch. 



During the year the Government of England has agreed to a com- 

 plete exchange of all official documents, commencing with the 1st of 

 January, 1882, and preliminary arrangements have been made to the 

 same effect with the Government of Austria. 



The receipts in this branch during the year are 22 boxes and 38,337 

 packages, with an aggregate of 32,827 pounds, while the transmissions 

 to foreign governments amount to 114 boxes, against 76 boxes in 1883. 



