24 REPORT OF THE SECRETARY. 



An arch.'oolojrical survey of America, undertaken by tlie various States systematic- 

 ally, and upon a well-defined plan, would render an inijiortant service to the progress 

 of archa'ological science, and is a preliminary to systematic research. 



Whenever a museum or scientific establishment exists now undertaking archa'o- 

 logical and ethnological work this should remain the representation of the specific 

 country for such work. The interchange of duplicates among American museums, 

 which is already being carried on to a considerable extent, should V)e continued an<l 

 increased, in order that each American national museum should finally have as good a 

 series as is obtainable of all American archa'logical objects of interest. Care should be 

 taken, however, not to let this idea interfere in,the proper exchange of specimens 

 between museums on this continent and elsewhere, since most museums, while sup- 

 ported by nations, are really international in character, and it is to the interest of 

 American nniseums that they shall exchange American material for foreign material, 

 as it is to the interest of foreign museums that they sliall have material representing 

 American archa>ology. It is only by securing archaological and ethnological series 

 from all countries that comparative studies can be successfully entered upon. 



While uniformity is not sought, the American museums should exchange with each 

 other plans of cases, information with regard to methods of installation and kinds of 

 labels, and regulations concerning the preservation of type specimens, and the lend- 

 ing of s])ecimens from one museum to the other for study or other purposes, in order 

 that each national museum may have idl methods before it to assist in adopting such 

 as are be.st suited to its own peculiar needs. 



The existence of a unique object, manuscript, or codex, without its reproduction 

 by cast, photograjjh, or other mechanical means, renders it possible in the event of 

 tire or other disaster that all the knowledge represented by these objects will be lost 

 to the world. The copying by mechanical means of such specimens and their 

 exchange among the various countries is suggested as one of the most important 

 pieces of work that could be undertaken by international cooperation. 



The jirojects originally presented to the conference of the American Rejjublics at 

 the City of Mexico, in so far as these are practicable, can best be carried out in the 

 following manner: That the directors of the national museums of the American 

 Republics and States, or, in case where there be none, then other representatives of 

 these countries, be constituted as a body, with wholly advisory functions, to meet 

 once every three years, or oftener should occasion arise, to consider archaological 

 and ethnological interests. The meetings and deliberations of this body should be 

 conducted under the auspices of the Bureau of American Republics, which might 

 publish such reports as might be approved by a proper committee of the meeting. 

 The organization here suggested to carry out the purposes of the project could be 

 effected with sHght expense to the States adhering to the plan. 



INTERNATIONAL C0N(;RKSSES AND EXPOSITIONS. 



The Institution was called upon during the year to designate dele- 

 gates to an unusual number of international scientific congresses, and 

 several more were under consideration at the close of the fiscal year. 



Congress of Ainericanids. — Mr. William H. Holmes, Chief of the 

 Bui'eau of American Ethnology, was ap])ointed delegate of the Insti- 

 tution to the Fourteenth Inteinational Congress of Americanists to })e 

 held at Stuttgail, August 18-23, 1904, and upon nomination by the 

 Institution the following persons were accredited by the Department 

 of State as United States delegates to the same congress: Dr. Franz 



