LETTER 



FROM THE 



SECRETARY OF THE SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION, 



ACCOMPANYING 



The Annual Report of the Board of Regents of the Institution for the 

 year ending June 30, 1897. 



Smithsonian Institution, 

 Washington, JD. C, April 1-1, 1898.'- 

 To the Congress of the United States : 



In accordance with section 5593 of the Eevised Statutes of the 

 United States, I have the honor, in behalf of the Board of Kegents, 

 to submit to Congress the Annual Report of the operations, expend- 

 itures, and condition of the Smithsonian Institution for the year 

 ending June 30, 1897. 



I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant, 



S. P. Langley, 

 Secretary of Smithsonian Institution. 

 Hon. Garbet A. Hobart, 



President of the Senate. 



S 



