32 ANNUAL REPORT SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION;, 1908. 



the two countries, and the proposition to exchange official publica- 

 tions has been accex)ted by the envoys. 



The total number of packages handled by the International Ex- 

 change Service during the past year was 203,098, an increase over 

 the number for the preceding year of 13,268. The weight of these 

 packages was 435,285 pounds, TO per cent of which was in the interest 

 of the United States Government. 



The Smithsonian Institution, through its system of exchanges, is 

 in correspondence with 60,123 establishments and individuals, 48,340 

 of which are exterior to the borders of the United States. These 

 correspondents are scattered throughout the world, and there are few 

 places, however remote, which do not profit by the service. 



NATIONAL ZOOLOGICAL PARK. 



By authority of the act of Congress approved April 30, 1890, estab- 

 lishing the National Zoological Park, " for the advancement of sci- 

 ence and the instruction and recreation of the people," collections of 

 living animals, now numbering 1,402 individuals, have been brought 

 together from all parts of the world, and housed as nearly as pos- 

 sible in surroundings natural to them. These collections at the close 

 of the fiscal year included 350 species: Mammals, 146; birds, 168; 

 and reptiles, 36. 



By exhibiting the animals, properly labeled, the object of instruct- 

 ing and entertaining the visitors, of which there were 652,500 (in- 

 cluding 4,638 school children) during the year, was furthered, and 

 by study of the specimens the advancement of science was in a 

 measure attained. In September the park was visited by the Inter- 

 national Zoological Congress, about eighty members of which spent 

 a day examining the collections. As in previous years specialists 

 of the Department of Agriculture studying animal diseases were 

 offered opportunities for pathological investigations when animals 

 died, and such dead animals as might be useful to the national col- 

 lections were sent to the National Museum. This to a certain degree 

 was in keeping with the first purpose in establishing the park, 

 namely, " the advancement of science." It has not as yet been pos- 

 sible, however, owing to the yearlj^ present necessities, to fully carry 

 out plans in this regard formulated at the time of the organization 

 of the park. 



Designs have been drawn for a much-needed laboratory and hospital 

 building, through the erection and equipment of which it is hoped not 

 only that the welfare of the Government's animals may be even more 

 thoroughly guarded, but investigations of a zoological nature for 

 the increase of practical and scientific knowledge may be prosecuted. 

 With one exception no particular appropriation has been made for 



