36 EEPORT OF THE SECEETARY. 



In the disposition of the undescribed specimens of the collection, 

 the following considerations have been observed as governing prin- 

 ciples : 



First. The original specimens are not to be intrusted for descrip- 

 tion to inexperienced persons, but to those only who have given evi- 

 dence of an ability properly to accomplish the task undertaken. 



Second. Preference is to be given to those who have been engaged 

 in the laborious and difficult enterprise of making complete mono- 

 graphs. 



Third. The investigator may be allowed, in certain cases, to take 

 the specimens to his place of residence, and to retain them for study 

 a reasonable time. 



Fourth. The use of the specimens is only to be given on condition 

 that a series of types for the Smithsonian Museum will be selected 

 and properly labelled, and the whole returned in good condition. 



Fifth. In any publications which may be made of the results from 

 an investigation of the materials from the Smithsonian collection, full 

 credit must be accorded to the Institution for the facilities which 

 have been afforded. 



During the past year, the labelling of specimens for colleges and 

 other educational institutions has been continued, but the work has 

 not advanced with as much rapidity as was expected, owing to the 

 call upon many of our co-laborers to join the army. Under the 

 most favorable circumstances the labelling requires much labor, and 

 cannot be properly done except by persons specially trained in par- 

 ticular branches of natural history. 



The assorting and labelling of the principal part of the shells is 

 still in progress under Mr. Philip P. Carpenter, of Warrington, Eng- 

 land, assisted by Dr. Alcock. Other shells have been named, or are 

 in the process of being named, by Prof. Agassiz and Dr. Stimpson, 

 of Cambridge ; Mr. Isaac Lea and Mr. Gr! W. Tryon, of Philadel- 

 phia; Mr. W. G. Binney, of New Jersey ; Mr. Prime, of New York ; 

 Mr. Busk, of England ; and Dr. Steenstrup, of Copenhagen. 



The botanical collections, to which several additions have been 

 made during the past year, are still in charge of Dr. Torrey, of New 

 York, and Dr. Gray, of Cambridge. The assorting of the rocks 

 and minerals is carried on in the Institution; and as an auxiliary 

 work, Mr. Egleston has prepared a general list of mineral species 

 to facilitate the labelling and exchange of specimens. This will be 

 printed and distributed to correspondents during the present year. 



