38 REPORT OF THE SECRETARY. 



During the past year the assorting; and labelling of the specimens 

 have been continued, as well as the distribution of duplicates. 



The whole number of entries on the record book of the Smithsonian 

 collection, at the end of the year 1861, was 66, 075 ; at the end of 

 1S62, 74,764, and at the end of 1863, 86,847 ; but each entry indi- 

 cates a lot consisting of a number of specimens. The whole number 

 of duplicate specimens distributed to different institutions in this 

 countiy and abroad, up to the end of the year 1863, has been 94,713. 

 As these specimens are distributed on the express condition that full 

 credit is to be given to the Institution on the labels, and in all pub- 

 lications which may relate to them, the name of Smithson, even 

 through this distribution alone, would become familiarly known in 

 every part of the civilized world. 



It has been, from the first, one of the prominent objects of the 

 Institution to collect the most ample materials for illustrating the 

 entire natural history of North America ; to determine the different 

 species of plants and of animals ; to ascertain the distribution of the 

 former, and the migrations of the latter. This object it has endea- 

 vored to accomplish through the agency of the different surveying 

 expeditions of government ; through explorations instituted at its own 

 expense, and by enlisting the co-operation of individuals interested 

 in science, and of local scientific societies. In all its efforts in this 

 line it has been heartily supported, and it is believed that its labors 

 have been productive of valuable results. The collections thus made 

 have been intrusted to competent investigators for examination and 

 description, and the results published in the different Smithsonian 

 series, in transactions of societies, and in various government reports. 

 For a list of what has already been prepared and published, either 

 by the Institution or under its direction, I would refer to a report on 

 L this subject in preparation by Professor Baird. 



Museum. — The additions to the museum, in the line of natural his- 

 tory, are principal!) 7 confined to the type specimens which have been 

 collected and described at the expense of the general government, or 

 under the immediate auspices of the Institution. Even thus restricted, 

 the specimens increase in number more rapidly than the portion of 

 the Smithsonian fund which can be devoted to their support will 

 authorize. Few persons have an idea of the labor, constant care, and 

 expense which attends the proper preservation of a series of objects 

 of natural history ; but those who have had the necessary experience 

 know that large miscellaneous collections can only be properly sup- 

 ported by governments, and, in the establishment of provincial socie- 



