THE SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION. 23 



noble example. In connexion with the same subject, I may refer to 

 the unexampled provision which has been made by subscription for 

 the publication of the extended researches of Prof. Agassiz. The re- 

 sults of these researches are to be comprised in ten quarto volumes, at 

 ■a subscription price of $120. The whole number of subscribers already 

 obtained is three thousand, which will produce $360,000. The Smith- 

 sonian Institution had commenced the preparation of the plates of 

 several memoirs by Prof. Agassiz, which will now be probably merged 

 in this work ; and thus, though it may lose the honor of a more per- 

 manent association of the name of this celebrated individual with its 

 ■own publications, yet a portion of its funds will thus be set free for the 

 publication of the researches of less fortunate though meritorious 

 laborers in the field of knowledge. The Institution, however, will 

 have largely contributed from its museum to the materials which will 

 be required in the preparation of this great work, and will thus be 

 still connected with this important enterprise. 



Exchanges. — The system of scientific and literary exchanges, oT 

 which an account has been given in the previous reports, has become 

 more widely known and its advantages more generally appreciated. 

 Nearly all the exchanges of scientific works between societies and in- 

 dividuals in this country and abroad are now made through the agency 

 of this Institution. The whole number of articles transmitted during 

 "the year 1855 was 8,585. The whole number of separate articles re- 

 ceived during the same time cannot be stated, as those addressed to 

 particular persons or societies were enclosed in packages which were 

 not opened. The articles received in behalf of the Institution amounted 

 to 4,500, and the number of packages for other parties to 1,445. The 

 latter, in almost every case, contained several different works, which 

 would swell the amount received to a larger number than that which 

 was sent. The associations in this country Avhich have availed them- 

 selves of the facilities of the system comprise nearly all those that 

 publish Transactions. Among these are many of the agricultural 

 societies of the western States. In a number of cases societies and 

 individuals have transmitted sets of their works, to be distributed by 

 the Institution to such associations as it might deem best entitled to 

 receive them. 



The Smithsonian agency is not confined to the transmission of 

 works from the United States, but is extended to those from Canada, 

 South and Central America, and in its foreign relations embraces 

 every part of the civilized world. It is a ground of just congratula- 

 tion to the Kegents, that the Institution, by means of this part of the 

 plan of its organization, is able to do so much towards the advance of 

 knowledge. It brings into friendly correspondence cultivators of origi- 

 nal research the most widely separated, and emphatically realizes the 

 idea of Smithson himself, that "the man of science is of no country;" 

 thet "the world is his country, and all mankind his countrymen." 



The system of exchange has found favor with foreign governments, 

 and the Smithsonian packages are now admitted into all ports to which 

 they are sent, without detention, and free of duty. It has also been 

 highly favored by the liberal aid of companies and individuals in this 



