20 



REPORT OF THE SECRETARY. 



from the Smitlison fund, the importance of which can only be properly 

 appreciated by a deprivation of it for a short time. We infer this from 

 the fact of the character of the complaints, we frequently receive on ac- 

 count of accidental delay in packages reaching their destination, al- 

 though in some instances the delay may have been occasioned by a want 

 of proper directions on the part of the senders of the packages. 



The centers of reception and distribution of European exchanges still 

 continue the same as given in previous reports, viz: London, Paris, 

 Leipsic, Amsterdam, St. Petersburg, Milan, with the addition of one at 

 Brussels. The agency at London has for many years been in charge of 

 Air. William Wesley, whose fidelity and unremitted attention to the trust 

 entitle him to an appreciative acknowledgment of the Board of Regents, 

 and the same may be said of Dr. Felix Fiiigel, of Leipsic, and Mr. G. 

 Bossange, of Paris. The center at St. Petersburg is under the charge 

 of L. Watkins & Co., booksellers, and that at Amsterdam under Mr. 

 Fred. Miiller, who have efficiently contributed to the success of the 

 enterprise in these countries. The center in Italy is under the charge 

 of U. Hcepli, as agent for the Royal Institute of Milan. 



The expense of transportation is very much increased by sending single 

 packages separately, and therefore, whenever possible, without undue 

 delay, economy is consulted by transmitting the exchanges at regular 

 periods in larger numbers. Arrangements have been made so that 

 invoices of packages are forwarded from this country at least once a 

 mouth, except in the months of August, September, and October. 



The following table exhibits the number of establishments in each 

 country with which the Smithsonian is at present in correspondence : 



Sweden 25 



Norway 23 



Denmark 29 



Russia 157 



Holland ... 65 



Germany , 587 



Switzerland (38 



Belgium 127 



France ■ 257 



Italy 167 



Portugal 21 



Spain 12 



Great Britain and Ireland.. 412 



Greece 7 



Turkey 11 



Africa „ - - 18 



Asia 36 



Australia 26 



New Zealand 11 



Polynesia 1 



South America 33 



West Indies 11 



Mexico 8 



Central America 1 



British America ; 27 



General 5 



Total 2, 145 



As in previous years, the Institution has received important aid from 

 various steamer and railroad lines in the way of free freights, without 

 which the expense of carrying on the system would be far beyond the 



