36 ANNUAL REPORT SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION, 1907. 
distribution of exchanges for that country, have been resumed. The 
Prince of Bulgaria, in response to a request of the Institution, has 
designated the Scientific Institutions and Library of Sofia to act as 
the exchange intermediary between Bulgaria and the United States. 
As Hawaii, the Philippine Islands, and Porto Rico are under the 
jurisdiction of the United States, the Institution feels that exchanges 
with them,can no longer be termed “ international,” and has therefore 
discontinued the acceptance of packages from domestic sources for 
these territories. 
The International Exchange Service, in its efforts to aid the Calli- 
fornia Academy of Sciences in the rehabilitation of its library and 
collections, destroyed by the earthquake and fire of April, 1906, sent 
circulars to all the foreign correspondents of the academy soliciting 
contributions. I am gratified to state that a most liberal reponse has 
been made, the number of exchanges received aggregating 6,370 
packages and publications, which were forwarded to San Francisco. 
It may be noted in this connection that this is the first time since its 
organization that the Exchange Service has sent out a circular of this 
character in behalf of any establishment. 
NATIONAL ZOOLOGICAL PARK. 
By act of Congress approved April 30, 1890, the National Zoolog- 
ical Park was established “ for the advancement of science and the 
instruction and recreation of the people,” and in pursuance of this 
authorization the collection of living animals has increased from year 
to year, it being the purpose to exhibit living species of the various 
types of animal life for the instruction and entertainment of the 
public. 
In carrying out the first of the objects stated in the act of organ- 
ization, namely, the advancement of science, the original design con- 
templated the establishment of methods of scientific research, but lack 
of means, and the more important necessities of the park, have pre- 
vented this from being realized. Plans for a laboratory are in hand. 
The varied zoological collection now assembled affords material of 
great value for studying the habits of animals, and for physiological 
and pathological research, subjects of practical importance and 
utility. 
Much care and attention has also been devoted to preserving the 
natural beauty of the surroundings and to the enhancing of the 
attractiveness of the park to visitors. 
With a single exception, no especial appropriation has been made 
for the erection of buildings for the animals in the park since its 
inception. They were originally housed in wooden sheds which have 
been gradually replaced by fireproof structures, as the appropriations 
