REPORT OF THE SECRETARY. 45 



awards, namely, the Diploma of Honor. The American representatives 

 at the exhibition were Mr. Walker, commissioner-general, Prof. George 

 F. Barker, commissioner expert, &c. 



The occasion of the International Electrical Congress in Paris during 

 the past summer was embraced by the French Government for bringing 

 together a commission in relation to the forthcoming transit of Yenus, 

 and, at the request of the State Department for a nomination of an 

 American known to be in Paris, the name of Prof. G. F. Barker was 

 suggested by the Institution as a suitable representative ou the part of 

 the United States. Althougli not an astronomer, Professor Barker is 

 well known as a most accomplished physicist, and able to take part in 

 any general discussion of matters and systeiu of co-operation. 



International Congress of Americanists. — An international association 

 devoted to recovering data in regard to the early history of the Amer- 

 icas has for many years held its sessions annually in the different capi- 

 tals of Europe, that for 1881 being held at Madrid, under the special 

 patronage of His Majesty King Alfonso. The Smithsonian Institution 

 was in\ated to take an interest in this association by collecting sub- 

 scriptions and issuing tickets of membership. The proceedings of the 

 meeting have not yet been published. It has been suggested that an 

 invitation be extended by the President of the United States to have 

 one of the forthcoming meetings of the association held in this country, 

 and that the hospitalities of the nation be extended by an appropriation 

 by Congress for the expenses of oceanic travel. This matter will prob- 

 ably come up for the consideration of the government at the proper 

 time. 



International Geographical Congress. — Another international conven- 

 tion which took place during the summer was that of the Geographi- 

 cal Congress at Venice. The publications of the Smithsonian Institu- 

 tion and of the United States Fish Commission, as far as they bear ui)on 

 geographical explorations and discovery, were presented, and the 

 United States was ably represented by Capt. George M. Wheeler, 

 United States Engineers, a gentleman well known for the magnitude 

 and importance of his explorations under the War Department. 



EXTERNAL RELATIONS OF THE SMITHSONLA.N INSTITUTION. 



The Smithsonian Institution occupies a somewhat peculiar jiositiou 

 in its general relationships. Provided by the liberality of a foreigner 

 with funds for carrying out its own special work, and charged by the 

 government with additional duties, for which means are provided by Con- 

 gress, it has reliLtious on the one side to private or special establish- 

 ments, and ou the other to those of the home and foreign governments. 



