REPORT OF THE SECRETARY 41 



mentioned in several of the previous reports, has been appointed by 

 the government of the United States consul on the western coast 

 of Mexico ; and in this new and interesting region, I doubt not 

 that, with unabated zeal, he will be able to add much that is 

 new and important to the different branches of natural history. To 

 facilitate his labors in the way of making collections, the Institution 

 furnished him with a full set of articles necessary for the most efficient 

 prosecution of a work of this kind. 



Exchanges. — The system of exchanges still continues to render im- 

 portant aid to the literary and scientific intercourse of this country 

 with other parts of the world. It is not confined on this side of the 

 Atlantic to the United States, but extends to Canada, the West In- 

 dies, and South America. From the tabular statement given by Pro- 

 fessor Baird, it appears that during the year 1862 there have been 

 sent to foreign countries 1,203 packages, each containing, inmost 

 cases, a number of separate articles. These packages were enclosed 

 in 114 boxes, measuring in the aggregate upwards of 1,000 cubic feet, 

 and weighing 28,930 pounds. The number of packages received in 

 return for parties in this country, exclusive of those for the Institu- 

 tion, was 2,105, which would on an average amount to upwards of 

 10,000 articles. 



The Institution has received on its own account 5,035 articles, in- 

 cluding those for the museum as well as for the library. 



The thanks of the Institution continue to be clue to various parties 

 for their liberality in transporting boxes and packages free of charge, 

 or in materially reducing the ordinary expenses. Those claiming 

 especial mention are the North German Lloyds, between Bremen 

 and New York, the Hamburg and New York Steamship Line, the 

 Cunard Line, the Panama Railroad, and the Pacific Mail Steamship 

 Company, all of which transport Smithsonian packages free of charge. 

 The Adams's Express Line transmits our packages partly at reduced 

 rates and partly tree. The magnitude of the favors conferred by 

 these companies may be readily understood by a reference to the 

 statement made above that the weight of the packages sent to Europe 

 alone amounted, during the year 1862, to nearly 30,000 pounds. 



Library. — The library during the last year has continued steadily 

 to increase, principally by exchanges, but also by purchase. By ex- 

 changes there have been received 1,211 octavos, 348 quartos, and 52 

 folios. Of parts of volumes in octavo 2 441, in quarto, 767, in folio, 



