REPORT OF THE SECRETARY. 19 



Since that date many difficulties have arisen over questions of classi- 

 fication and management of the catalogue, but I still hope that some 

 way may be found of bringing to a successful issue this worthj^ project. 



EXPOSITIONS. 



The several bureaus of the Institution participated in the Trans- 

 Mississippi Exposition at Omaha, which opened June 1, 1898, and 

 continued for five months. An account of the exhibits will be printed 

 elsewhere. 



In an act of Congress approved March 3, 1899, the sum of $300,000 

 was appropriated for a Government exhibit in connection with the 

 Pan-American Exposition to be held at Buffalo in 1901, with $200,000 

 additional for the erection of a building. Dr. F. W. True has been 

 designated to represent the Smithsonian Institution and the National 

 Museum on the Government Board of Management, and Mr. W. V. 

 Cox as chief special agent. 



On the date above mentioned an act was also approved allowing 

 similar amounts for a Government exhibit and building at the Ohio 

 Centennial Exposition to be held at Toledo in 1902 or 1903, as may 

 be determined upon hereafter. This appropriation is, however, con- 

 ditional upon a grant of $500,000 to the exposition by the legisla- 

 ture of the State of Ohio and the raising of an equal amount by 

 subscription. 



MISCELLANEOUS. 



Documentcvry history of the Institution. — The legislative history of 

 the Institution from 1877 to date, mentioned in the Secretary's last 

 Report, has been extended and revised, but not yet published. 



Gifts and herjuests. — Among the important collections received by 

 the Institution during the year may be mentioned a large series of 

 medals gathered by Hon. Charles Francis Adams, United States min- 

 ister to England, and deposited with the Smithsonian Institution by 

 his son, Henry Adams; some Japanese masks received through Dr. 

 Alexander Graham Bell; a valuable early book on whales presented 

 by the British Museum; and a large number of very interesting his 

 torical objects pertaining to the war with Spain, transmitted by the 

 Secretary of the Navy and the Secretary of War. 



Foreign instltntions. — The relations of the Smithsonian Institution 

 with other institutions of learning throughout the world continue to 

 be most cordial. During the past year communications were received 

 inviting participation in the Centennial of the Russian Imperial Mili- 

 tary Academy of Medicine, the Gauss-Weber Memorial at Gottingen, 

 the Stokes Celebration at Cambridge, and the Centenar}^ of the Royal 

 Institution of Great Britain. 



Dr. W. L. Wilson, Regent, and the Secretary were appointed Smith- 

 sonian representatives at the Royal Society celebration and were made 



