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2. Appropriations in different years to different objects; so that in course of time each branch of knowledge may receive a share. 3. The results obtained from these appropriations to be published, with the memoirs before mentioned, in the volumes of the Smithsonian Contributions to Knowledge. 4. Examples of objects for which appropriations may be made: (1.) System of extended meteorological observations for solving the problem of American storms. (2.) Explorations in descriptive natural history, and geological, magnetical, and topographical surveys, to collect materials for the formation of a Physical Atlas of the United States. (3.) Solution of experiment problems, such as a new determination of the weight of the earth, of the velocity of electricity and of light; chemical analyses of soils and plants; collection and publication of scientific facts, accumulated in the offices of government. (4.) Institution of statistical inquiries with reference to physical, moral, and political subjects. (5.) Historical researches, and accurate surveys of places celebrated in American history. (6.) Ethnological researches, particularly with reference to the different races of men in North America; also, explorations and accurate surveys of the mounds and other remains of the ancient people of our country.

Details of the Plan for Diffusing Knowledge. I. By the publication of a series of reports, giving an account of the new discoveries in science, and of the changes made from year to year in all branches of knowledge not strictly professional. 1. These reports will diffuse a kind of knowledge generally interesting, but which, at present, is inaccessible to the public. Some reports may be published annually, others at longer intervals, as the

income of the Institution or the changes in the branches of knowledge may indicate. 2. The reports are to be prepared by collaborators eminent in the different branches of knowledge. 3. Each collaborator to be furnished with the journals and publications, domestic and foreign, necessary to the compilation of his report; to be paid a certain sum for his labors, and to be named on the title-page of the report. 4. The reports to be published in separate parts, so that persons interested in a particular branch can procure the parts relating to it without purchasing the whole. 5. These reports may be presented to Congress for partial distribution, the remaining copies to be given to literary and scientific institutions, and sold to individuals for a moderate price. II. By the publication of separate treatises on subjects of general interest. 1. These treatises may occasionally consist of valuable memoirs translated from foreign languages, or of articles prepared under the direction of the Institution, or procured by offering premiums for the best exposition of a given subject. 2. The treatises should, in all cases, be submitted to a commission of competent judges previous to their publication.

The only changes made in the policy above indicated have been the passage of resolutions, by the Regents, repealing the equal division of the income between the active operations and the museum and library, and further providing that the annual appropriations are to be apportioned specifically among the different objects and operations of the Institution, in such manner as may, in the judgment of the Regents, be necessary and proper for each, according to its intrinsic importance, and a compliance in good faith with the law.

An able writer in the Democratic Quarterly Review, published in Washington, February, 1861, cites the following responsible witnesses to establish the judicious. manner in which the great work deputed to the Smithsonian Institution is performed:

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"Professor Forbes, of Edinburg, in reference to a work of marine exploration, whose results have been given to the world at the charge of the Institution, observes: A more proper person than Professor Harvey, of the University of Dublin, could not have been selected for the elaboration of a Nereis Boreali-Americana;' and most honorable is it to the directors of the Smithsonian Institution of North America, that they should have selected this gentleman for the task of which we have now the first fruits. The trustees of that establishment are pursuing a course which is sure to do much towards the wholesome development of science in the United States. In the present instance, they have done what is both wise and generous; and, in seeking the best man to do the difficult work they require done, have recognized nobly the truth that science belongs to the world, to all mankind, laboring for the benefit of all regions and races alike. And Professor Agassiz, in acknowledgment of services rendered him in the preparation of his important work on the Natural History of the United States, thus expresses himself: 'Above all, I must mention the Smithsonian Institution, whose officers, in the true spirit of its founder, have largely contributed to the advancement of my researches by forwarding to me for examination not only all the speciments of Testudinati collected for the museum of the Institution, but also those brought to Washington by the naturalists of the different parties that have explored

the western Territories, or crossed the continent with the view of determining the best route for the Pacific railroad. These specimens have enabled me to determine the geographical distribution of this order of reptiles with a degree of precision which I could not have attained without this assistance.""

We are indebted to the same writer, to whose comprehensive and well-condensed article we owe a grateful testimony, for calling our attention to the following important suggestions, contained in the eighth annual report of the Institution, prepared by Professor Henry :

There is one part of the Smithsonian operations that attracts no public attention, though it is producing, it is believed, important results in the way of diffusing knowledge, and is attended, perhaps, with more labor than any other the scientific correspondence of the Institution. Scarcely a day passes in which communications are not received from persons in different parts of the country, containing accounts of discoveries, which are referred to the Institution, or asking questions relative to some branch of knowledge. The rule was early adopted to give respectful attention to every letter received, and this has been faithfully adhered to from the beginning up to the present time. The ordinary inquiries addressed to the Secretary relate to the principles of mechanics, electricity, magnetism, meteorology, names of specimens of plants, minerals, insects, and, in short, to all objects or phenomena of a remarkable or unusual character. Requests are frequently made for lists of apparatus, for information as to the best books for the study of special subjects, hints for the organization of local societies, &c. Applications are also made by persons abroad for information relative to particular subjects respecting this country. When an immediate reply cannot be given to a question, the subject is referred by letter to some one of the Smithsonian colaborers, to whose line of duty it pertains, and the answer

is transmitted to the inquirer, either under the name of the person who gives the information, or that of the Institution, according to the circumstances of the case.

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There is no country on the face of the earth in which knowledge is so generally diffused as in the United States; none in which there is more activity of mind or freedom of thought and discussion, and in which there is less regard to what should be considered as settled and wellestablished principles. It will not therefore be surprising that the Institution should be called upon to answer a great number of communications intended to subvert the present system of science, and to establish new and visionary conceptions in its stead; and that numerous letters should be received pertaining to such subjects as the quadrature of the circle, the trisection of the angle, the invention of self-moving machines, the creation of power, the overthrow of the Newtonian system of gravitation, and the invention of new systems of the universe.

Many of these communications are of such a character that, at first sight, it might seem best to treat them with silent neglect; but the rule has been adopted to state, candidly and respectfully, the objections to such propositions, and to endeavor to convince their authors that their ground is untenable.

In this Institution may be found the scientific results of the United States exploring expeditions, which are here preserved at the expense of the government, no other suitable place having as yet been prepared. This museum contains the best collection of specimens of natural history, and of foreign curiosities, to be found in America.

The Library of the Institution, already rich, promises to become the most valuable collection of scientific works in the world. In carrying out the plan of the Smithsonian Institution, it would be folly to expend any portion of its income in the purchase of works which could not forward

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