The Smithsonian Institution 



ment expeditions or the transactions of the Smithsonian and 

 other institutions ; and second, those which have not been de- 

 scribed, and which consequently are considered of much value 

 by the naturalists who are interested in extending the several 

 branches of natural history. Of both classes the Institution 

 possesses a large number of duplicates, in the disposition of 

 which some general principles should be kept constantly in 

 view. After due consultation with naturalists, the following 

 rules, which were presented in the last report, have been 

 adopted relative to the described specimens : 



"First. To advance original science, the duplicate type 

 specimens are to be distributed as widely as possible to scien- 

 tific institutions in this country and abroad, in order that they 

 may be used in identifying the species and genera which have 

 been described. 



" Second. To promote education, as full sets as possible of 

 general duplicates, properly labeled, are to be presented to 

 colleges and other institutions of learning that profess to 

 teach the principal branches of natural history. 



" Third. It must be distinctly understood that due credit 

 is to be given to the Institution in the labeling of the speci- 

 mens, and in all accounts which may be published of them, 

 since such credit is not only due to the name of Smithson, 

 but also to the directors of the Establishment, 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 institu- 

 tions abroad, as a general rule, to require, in case type speci- 

 mens 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 required. 



" In the disposition of the undescribed specimens of the 

 collection, it is impossible to be governed by rules quite as 



