42 REPORT OF THE SECRETARY. 



due to the name of Smithson, but also to the directors of the establish- 

 ment, as vouchers to the world that they are faithfully carrying out 

 the intention of the bequest. 



Fourth. It may be proper, in the distribution to institutions abroad, 

 as a general rule, to require, in case type specimens to illustrate 

 species which have been described by foreign authors may be wanted 

 for comparison or other uses in this country, that they be furnished at 

 any time they may be required. 



Fifth. In return for specimens which may be presented to colleges 

 and other educational establishments, collections from localities in 

 their vicinity, which may be desirable, shall be furnished when re- 

 quired. 



In the disposition of the midescribed specimens of the collection, 

 it is impossible to be governed by rules quite as definite as those 

 which relate to the previous class, but the following considerations 

 have been adopted as governing principles : 



1. The original specimens ought not to be intrusted to inexperi- 

 enced persons, or to those who have not given evidence of their 

 ability properly to accomplish the task they have undertaken. 



2. Preference should be given to those who are engaged in the la- 

 borious and difficult task of preparing complete monographs. 



3. As it would be illiberal to restrict the use of the specimens, and 

 confine the study of them to persons who can visit Washington, the 

 investigator should be allowed to take them to his place of residence, 

 and to retain them for a reasonable time. 



4. The investigator must give assurance that he will prepare a set 

 of type specimens for the Smithsonian museum, and will return all 

 the duplicates, if required. 



5. In any publication which may be made of the results of the inves- 

 tigation, full credit must be accorded to the Institution for the facili- 

 ties which have been afforded. 



At the last session of Congress an appropriation was made to assist 

 in the general distribution of duplicate specimens, and this distribu- 

 tion has been carried on as efficiently as the laborious character of 

 the work would allow. The mere distribution of the specimens among 

 colleges and educational establishments in this country, without labels 

 or descriptions, would be little better than scattering them to the 

 winds; but to present them correctly named and described renders 

 them important auxiliaries in the study of natural history, and indi- 

 rectly in the advance of this branch of knowledge itself. But this 



