EEPORT OF THE SECEETAEY. 61 



warded by fast freight to tlie bureau or agency abroad which has undertaken 

 to distribute exchanges in that country. To Great Britain and Germany, where 

 paid agencies of the Institution are maintained, shipments are made weekly ; 

 to all other countries transmissions are made at intervals not exceeding one 

 month. 



Transmissions from abroad for correspondents in the United States and ter- 

 ritory subject to its jurisdiction are distributed under frank by registered mail, 

 a record first having been made of the name of the sender and of the address of 

 each package. 



The Smithsonian Institution assumes no responsibility in the transmission of 

 packages, but at all times uses its best endeavors to forward promptly to des- 

 tination exchanges entrusted to its care. 



The rules governing the Smithsonian International Exchange Service are as 

 follows : 



1. Packages intended for transmission through the Institution should be ad- 

 dressed " Smithsonian Institution, International Exchange Service." 



2. The Institution and its agents will not knowingly receive for any address 

 purchased books; apparatus or instruments of any description, whether pur- 

 chased or presented ; nor specimens of any nature except when special permis- 

 sion from the Institution has been obtained, and then only under the following 

 conditions : 



(a) Specimens in fluid will not be accepted for transmission. 



(&) Botanical specimens will be transmitted at the rate of 8 cents per pound. 



(c) All other specimens will be transmitted at the rate of 5 cents per pound. 



3. In forwarding exchanges the sender should address a letter to the Institu- 

 tion, stating by what I'oute the consignment is being shipped to Washington, 

 and the number of boxes or parcels of which it is composed. 



4. Packages should be legibly addressed, using the language of the country 

 for which they are intended when practicable, and avoiding all abbreviations. 

 When packages are intended for societies and other establishments, names of 

 individuals should be omitted from labels in order to avoid any possible dispute 

 as to ownership. 



5. Packages should be securely wrapped in stout paper and, when necessary, 

 tied with strong twine. 



6. No package to a single address should exceed one-half of 1 cubic foot. 



7. Letters or other written matter are not permitted in exchange packages. 



8. Exchanges must be delivered to the Smithsonian Institution or its agents 

 with all charges paid. 



9. If donors desire acknowledgements, each package should contain a blank 

 receipt to be signed and returned by the establishment or individual addressed ; 

 and if publications are desired in exchange, the fact should be stated on the 

 card or package. 



In conclusion, mention should be made of the valuable services which are 

 rendered the Institution by those correspondents abroad who give their personal 

 attention and doubtless often expend private means in furthering the interests 

 of the international exchange service. The thanks of the Smithsonian Institu- 

 tion are also due Mr. Charles A. King, deputy collector of customs at the port 

 of New York, for his constant assistance in clearing exchange consignments 

 from abroad. 



Respectfully submitted. 



Cyrus Adler, 



Assistant Secretary, in charge of Library and Exchanges. 



Dr. Charles D. Walcott, 



Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution. 

 61782—08 5 



