188 REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1893. 



The amount of correspondence has hirgely increased each year since 

 the establishment of this division. In 18SG, the total number of official 

 papers prepared for signature was a little over 2,000. In the year 

 covered by this report the total was 10,040. The reason for this growth 

 is readily explained. Every letter asking for information is answered 

 as promptly as possible, and the information, if obtainable, is always 

 supplied. Tlie fact that requests of all kinds are thus noticed, soon 

 spreads among the acquaintances of the writers, and before long they 

 also are led to correspond with the Museum on some subject in regard 

 to which they may desire information. Another reason for the large 

 increase this year is that since May, 1892, the distribution of Museum 

 publications has been added to the work of this office, necessitating a 

 large number of letters on matters relating to the subject of Museum 

 publications. 



The correspondence of the Museum also includes letters pertaining 

 to the acquisition of specimens, and to their acknowledgment when 

 received; also letters reporting the results of examination of material 

 submitted for qualitative analyses. 



The preparation and general supervision of the proof of the Annual 

 Eeport of the ]Museum is also a part of the work which has been 

 assigned to this division. 



Distribution of Museum publications. — The edition of the Proceedings 

 and Bulletin is entirely inadequate to supply the numerous demands 

 made upon it, and in order that the edition might be increased, an 

 estimate of §18,000 for printing was made for the year ending June 30, 

 1892, an increase of $8,000 over the appropriation for the preceding 

 fiscal year. The amount granted by Congress, however, was only 

 $15,000. For the present fiscal year the sum of $18,000 was again 

 asked for. The following extract from a letter accompanying the 

 estimate will show how urgently this appropriation is needed : 



The Slim of $18,000 was asked for last year, for the purpose of cularjjjiug the 

 mailing list so as to include in it the more important public libraries and educa- 

 tional institutions, and to render it possible, in response to urgent requests, to send 

 the publications of the Museum to individuals who need them for use in connection 

 with scientific investigations. The sum appropriated ($15,000) enabled the Museum 

 to enlarge considerably its mailing list, but the full amount estimated for will be 

 necessary to insure a satisfactory distribution. 



The amount carried by the appropriation bill, as passed by Congress, 

 however, was $12,000, and as a necessary consequence, this branch 

 of the ^luseum work has been much crij^pled. 



The report for 1890 was distributed during the year. Coi^ies have 

 been forwarded to all individuals and institutions upon the mailing 

 lists for ^luseum reports, to the consular and other officers of the Gov- 

 ernment who have cooperated with the Museum, and to persons who 

 contributed to the collections during the fiscal year covered by that 

 report. Editions of 500 copies each of several ethnological papers 

 included in thereportsfor ISOOand 1S91 liave been sent out. The four- 



