present is condemned to inactivity, from local position unfavorable to scientific research.

It is not the purpose of the committee to engage in minute criticism of the details of the programme; but it may not be out of place to suggest a doubt of the practicability or expediency of carrying into rigid execution, "the rejection of all unverified speculations," as proposed in the third paragraph of the first section above cited; while it is obviously advisable to discountenance all theoretical speculations not directly built upon observation, it might be too much to exact, in all cases, that these speculations should have been actually verified. No small portion of modern geology is an ingenious structure of speculative generalizations. The undulatory theory of light can hardly claim any other character. The nebular theory, though proposed and illustrated by the highest astronomical talent of the past and present generation, is rapidly sinking from the domain of accredited speculations. It may be doubted even whether M. Le Verrier's brilliant memoirs on the perturbations of Uranus would not, as published before the discovery of Neptune, have fallen within this principle of rejection rigorously applied. Upon the whole, the committee think very favorably of all parts of the plan for increasing knowledge; and feel no doubt that it would afford important encouragement to scientific pursuits. To suppose that it will create an era in science, or throw into the shade the ordinary educational and intellectual influences at work in the country, would be extravagant. It is enough and all that can be expected, if it be a rational plan for appropriating moderate means towards the attainment of a desirable end.

To fulfil the other object of the trust, viz. to "diffuse knowledge," the Secretary proposes to publish "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." These reports are to be prepared by collaborators, most eminent in their several departments, who are to receive a compensation for their labors; the collaborators to be furnished with all the journals and other publications necessary to the preparation of their reports.

The following enumeration of the proposed subjects of these reports will afford the Academy a full conception of this part of the plan.

I. Physical class.

1. Physics, including Astronomy, Natural Philosophy, Chemistry, and Meteorology.

2. Natural History, including Botany, Zoology, and Geology.

3. Agriculture.

4. Application of Science to Art.

II. Moral and Political class.

5. Ethnology, including particular History, comparative Philology, Antiquities, &c.

6. Statistics and Political Economy.

7. Mental and Moral Philosophy.

8. A Survey of the Political Events of the World, Penal Reform, &c.

III. Literature and the Fine Arts.

9. Modern Literature.

10. The Fine Arts, and their application to the Useful Arts. 11. Bibliography.

12. Obituary notices of distinguished individuals.

Another branch of the plan for the diffusion of knowledge contemplates the offer of premiums for the best essays on given subjects.

The publications of the Institution, of whatever form, are proposed to be presented to all the colleges, and to the principal libraries and scientific institutions throughout the country, and to be exchanged for the transactions of all scientific and literary societies throughout the world; thus laying the foundation of a valuable library. An adequate number are to be preserved to supply the future demand of new institutions, and the remainder are to be placed on sale at a price so low as to render them generally accessible.

For carrying out the plan thus sketched for increasing and diffusing knowledge, the Regents propose to appropriate one half of the income of their fund. The remainder is to be expended in the formation and maintenance of a library, a collection of instruments of research in all branches of experimental science, and a museum.

This partition of the income of the fund is stated to be "a compromise between the two modes of increasing and diffusing knowledge." A library is one of the objects contemplated in the act of Congress establishing the Board for the management of the trust. It is requisite for carrying out the plan above proposed. At the same time, it will be observed that the distribution, by exchange, of the publications, which that scheme of operations will call into existence, will rapidly provide the Institution, without further expense, with the class of works, often of a costly character, which are most directly important as the means of advancing and diffusing positive knowledge. It is accordingly in these that the Secretary proposes to lay the foundations of the library, forming, 1. A complete collection of the transactions and proceedings of all the learned societies in the world; and, 2. A similar collection of all the current periodical publications, and other works necessary in preparing the contemplated periodical reports.

In the next place, it is proposed to procure by preference those books which are not found in the other public libraries of the United States; regarding the want of them as one of more urgency to be supplied than that of a symmetrical and proportionate collection of books in all the departments of science. Such a library as the plan proposes may be fairly regarded as an important instrument for the increase and diffusion of knowledge.

The collection of scientific apparatus and instruments of research is no less needful in the furtherance of the above mentioned plan, which, as it proposes to aid individuals in the prosecution of important researches, may often do so most effectually by the loan of the instru→ ments required for a particular investigation. They will also be needed, especially at Washington, for carrying out, under the most advantageous circumstances, the various experimental investigations in Physics al

ready pursued by the Secretary with such credit to himself, and such honor to the scientific character of the country.

The Smithsonian Institution is also to be entrusted with the conservation of a National Museum, Congress having, by a clause in the Act of Incorporation, devolved upon it the charge of the immense collections belonging to the public, of which those brought home by Captain Wilkes from the Exploring Expedition form the greater portion, but which are daily increasing from many other sources. These collections, when a proper and convenient place shall have been prepared for their reception and preservation, are likely to accumulate with still greater rapidity in time to come.

While there is an obvious propriety and convenience in thus entrusting the care of the public collections to the officers of the Smithsonian Institution, it will not, the Committee trust, be forgotten by Congress that the income of the Smithsonian bequest-moderate at best, and consecrated to an object distinct as it is elevated-ought not to be burdened with the cost of constructing an edifice for the reception and exhibition of the public collections, or of their preservation and care. These objects would alone absorb a considerable portion of the fund. If drawn upon to carry them into effect, its efficiency for any other purpose will be seriously diminished, if not altogether destroyed.

The plan also contemplates a museum of the fine arts as well as a scientific apparatus. It proposes to procure "casts of the most celebrated articles of ancient and modern sculpture" and "models of antiquities." While it is undoubtedly true that a gallery of this description would find an appropriate place in an establishment devoted to the increase and diffusion of knowledge in its broadest sense, the Committee cannot but hope that the immediate execution of this part of the plan will not be attempted; but that it will be deferred till other objects of more decided utility have been provided for, and until a surplus of unappropriated funds shall have accrued.

The Academy will perceive that the most novel and important feature of the plan is that which proposes to insure the publication of memoirs and treatises on important subjects of investigation, and to offer pecuniary encouragement to men of talent and attainment to engage in scientific research. It is believed that no Institution in the country effects either of these objects to any great extent. The nearest approach to it is the practice of the Academy and other Philosophical Societies, of publishing the memoirs accepted by them. These, however, can rarely be works of great compass. No systematic plan of compensation for the preparation of works of scientific research is known by the Committee to have been attempted in this or any other country. It can scarcely be doubted that an important impulse would be given by the Institution, in this way, to the cultivation of scientific pursuits: while the extensive and widely ramified system of distribution and exchange by which the publications are to be distributed throughout the United States and the world, would secure them a circulation which works of science could scarcely attain in any other way.

It is an obvious characteristic of this mode of applying the funds of the Institution, that its influence would operate most widely throughout

the country; that locality would be of comparatively little importance as far as this influence is concerned; and that the Union would become, so to say, in this respect, a great school of mutual instruction.

The Committee would remark in conclusion, that in a plan of operations of this kind, very much depends upon the activity and intelligence with which it is administered. The characters of the Board of Regents are a sufficient warrant for the prudence and good judgment which will watch over the general interests of the foundation; while the reputation of the Secretary and his assistant, the librarian, is so well established in their respective departments, as to render any tribute from the Committee entirely superfluous.

All which is respectfully submitted by the Committee.

EDWARD EVERETT,

JARED SPARKS,

BENJAMIN PEIRCE,

HENRY W. LONGFELLOW,
ASA GRAY.

DECEMBER 4, 1847.

Read at a meeting of the Academy held December 7, 1847, and accepted.

Ordered to be communicated to the Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution.

O. W. HOLMES,
Recording Secretary.

SECOND ANNUAL REPORT

Of the Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, giving an account of the operations of the year 1848. Presented December 13, 1849.

GENTLEMEN: By a resolution of the Board of Regents, at their last annual meeting, I was charged with the execution of the details of the programme which had been provisionally adopted, and was directed to report annually to the Board the progress made in the execution of the duty assigned to me. In accordance with this resolution, I present the following statement of the operations of the past year.

The programme of the plan of organization of the Institution has been submitted to a number of literary and scientific societies, and in every case has received their unqualified approbation. The principal officers of these societies have expressed a willingness to co-operate with the Smithsonian Institution in carrying out the plans which have been adopted, and it is confidently believed, that as soon as these are fully developed and brought into practical operation, they will meet with general approval.

It was recommended in my last report that the details of the plan should be adopted provisionally, and should be carried into operation gradually and cautiously, with such changes, from time to time, as experience might dictate. The Institution is not one of a day, but is designed to endure as long as our government shall exist; and it is therefore peculiarly important that in the beginning we should proceed carefully and not attempt to produce immediate effects at the expense of permanent usefulness. The process of increasing knowledge is an extremely slow one, and the value of the results of this part of the plan cannot be properly realized until some years have elapsed. Independently of these considerations, the financial arrangements adopted by the Board of Regents are such as to prevent the full operation of the Institution until after three years from next March; up to that time more than one half of the income is to be devoted to the erection of the building, and indirectly to the increase of the permanent fund.

It will be recollected that the programme embraces

1st. The plan of publishing original memoirs on all branches of knowledge, in a series of quarto volumes.

2d. The institution of original researches under the direction of competent persons.

3d. The publication of a series of reports from year to year, giving an account of the progress of the different branches of knowledge. 4th. The formation of a library and a museum of objects of nature and art.

Publication of original memoirs.

The first volume of the Smithsonian Contributions to Knowledge has been published and partially distributed. It consists of a single memoir on the Ancient Monuments of the Mississippi Valley, comprising