36 TENTH ANNUAL REPORT OF 



APPENDIX TO THE REPORT OE THE SECRETARY. 



December 31, 1855. 

 Sir : I beg leave to present herewith a report for the year 1855, of 

 operations in such departments of the Smithsonian Institution as have 

 "been intrusted by you to my care. 

 Eespectfully submitted: 



SPENCER F. BAIKD, 

 Assistant Secretary Smithsonian Institution. 

 Joseph Henry, LL. D., 



Secretary Smithsonian Institution. 



I.— PUBLICATIONS. 



The seventh volume of Smithsonian Contributions to Knowledge 

 was issued in July last and promptly distributed. 



The octavo publications during the year have been confined to the 

 ninth annual report, of 464 pages. 



The eighth volume of Smithsonian Contributions is in an active state 

 of forwardness, and will soon be ready for delivery. 



II.— EXCHANGES. 



a — Foreign Exchanges. 



Owing to unavoidable delay in printing the seventh volume, the 

 packages for foreign distribution could not be made wp until the mid- 

 dle of July. By the end of the month, however, they were all sent 

 off, and by October had safely reached the hands of the agents of 

 distribution. As in past years, most of the active scientific and lit- 

 erary institutions of America embraced the opportunity to transmit 

 their exchanges. 



The returns during 1855 have been very valuable, considerably ex- 

 ceeding those of any previous year, excepting so far as relates to maps 

 and charts. Even here, however, the decrease is more apparent than 

 real, as several extensive series have been received, bound into vol- 

 umes instead of being in loose sheets, as is frequently the case. The 

 particulars of these returns are presented in the following tables : 



A. 

 Table exhibiting the number of pieces received in exchange during 1855. 



Yolumes — folio 87 



" quarto 233 



u octavo 717 



1,037 



