REPORT OF THE SECRETARY. 21 



have been reduced to 1,000 copies. This is most unfortunate, and unless 

 relief is obtained at once, will cause the suspension of the greater part 

 of the distribution of those volumes. Tt has hitherto been possible to 

 supply 2,300 of the most important libraries and about 500 specialists 

 with our publications, but unless the former number of copies is again 

 allowed, very little can be done in either direction. Furthermore, the 

 possibility of securing in exchange the publications of other institu- 

 tions, will be almost entirely removed. It is often possible to acquire 

 valuable specimens in exchange for publications, even when the owners 

 would not part with them for a money consideration. Papers of great 

 scientific value are not unfrequently offered to the Museum for publi- 

 cation, but it is now becoming necessary to decline to publish them, 

 as their acceptance would swell the cost of the annual printing for 

 the Museum to a sum far beyond the present allotment. Many impor- 

 tant papers published by the Museum are out of print, and should at 

 once be reprinted to supply the urgent demand, but this can not be 

 done without a larger appropriation. 



It is not too much to say that the usefulness of the Museum will be 

 considerably impaired if the editions are not at least increased to their 

 former extent, namely, 3,000 copies. The relations of the Museum with 

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

 United States, as well as with the principal centers of learning through- 

 out the world, will be impaired. It should be borne in mind that the 

 publications of the Museum are not "public documents," so that the 

 possibility of obtaining the usual increase of copies is precluded, none 

 others being printed excepting those which are actually paid for from 

 the Museum allotment for labels, Proceedings, and Bulletins. In view 

 of these facts I can not too strongly urge that the National Museum be 

 excepted from the restrictions of the printing act of January 12, 1895, 

 so far as the extent of the editions of its publications is concerned, and 

 that it be permitted to issue as large an edition both of Proceedings 

 and Bulletins as can be procured out of the Museum allotment. I have 

 asked for $18,000 for the year 1897, and am quite confident that this is 

 not by any means too large for the purpose. It is my belief that if 

 this amount be allowed — and provided that the Museum be removed 

 from the restriction of the printing act in this particular — the number 

 of copies can be increased to 5,000. This would enable the Museum to 

 meet its obligations, and to use a fair proportion of its publications in 

 exchange for specimens as well as for the publications of other scientific 

 institutions. 



In recognition of services being rendered to the Museum the hon- 

 orary title of "Associate" has been conferred on Dr. Theodore 1ST. Gill, 

 in zoology, Dr. E. E. O. Stearns, in zoology, Dr. R. W. Shufeldt, in 

 comparative anatomy, and Dr. C. A. White, in paleontology. 



By act of Congress approved August 18, 1894, the Smithsonian 

 Institution and the National Museum were directed to participate in 



