18 REPORT OF THE SECRETARY. 



of another building is not in any degree lessened, since the additional 

 space obtained will be necessary to relieve the overcrowded condition 

 of the floors, which has given the exhibition halls almost the appearance 

 of storerooms. 



The proper expansion of the various series now exhibited, and the 

 addition of others from the abundant materials already in the posses- 

 sion of the Museum, can not have effect within the present walls. For 

 these purposes, and for the increase which succeeding years may confi- 

 dently be expected to bring, a new building is necessary. The national 

 collections, as a whole, greatly surj^ass in value and extent those of any 

 other museum in the United States, but they are at the present time 

 by no means so well provided for as the collections assembled in some 

 of the larger cities of the country. 



For reasons explained at length in a previous report, it was deemed 

 very desirable to remove the sheds adjoining the Smithsonian building 

 on the south. The sum of $2,500 was allowed, and the objectionable 

 sheds will be removed at once. 



In my estimates for 1897 I explained the need of a larger allotment 

 for printing the Proceedings and Bulletins of the Museum. The amount 

 asked for was $18,000, but oilly $12,000 was allowed. I repeated the 

 expression of my desire that $18,000 be allowed for 1898, but again 

 only $12,000 was allotted. I feel, therefore, it is my duty to state that 

 the sum provided has proved entirely inadequate. 



The comi)lete manuscript of an important and comprehensive work 

 by the late Professor Cope on the reptiles of Korth America, based on 

 the Museum collections^ is necessarily withheld from the printer for 

 want of funds for its publication, and at least four others, equally valu- 

 able and extensive, are in an advanced stage of preY)aration. Delay in 

 the publication of these works will prove a hindrance to the progress 

 of American natural history. 



It has long been my wish to distribute the publications of the Museum 

 not only to Government depositories but also to all public libraries, 

 colleges, scientific schools, and scientific and technical societies in this 

 country, as well as to the principal centers of learning throughout the 

 world. After this has been done, there should still remain a surplus 

 for distribution among investigators and teachers who really need the 

 books in connection with their professional work. By such an extended 

 distribution the Museum would greatly widen the scope of its useful- 

 ness, and would also be able to obtain in exchange a large number of 

 books and pamphlets for its own working library. It often ha^jpens, 

 too, that arrangements can be made to exchange the publications of the 

 Museum for desirable specimens. 



In the estimates for 1898-99 I have inserted an item for $17,000 for 

 printing and binding. It is my wish to use $15,000 for printing and 

 $2,000 for binding serials into volumes. Many books in constant use 

 in the Museum library are in urgent need of permanent binding in 

 order to prevent their destruction. Several series already partially 



