quested to give particular attention to this subject, and for the purpose of facilitating his inquiries a seismometer, or instrument for measuring the intensity and direction of the earthwave, has been ordered at the expense of the Institution, to be placed in charge of the expedition during its absence. The cost of this instrument is not yet ascertained; it will, however, not exceed one hundred and fifty dollars.

I think it highly probable that these instruments will be paid for by the general government. The liberal spirit which dictated the original appropriation will, I doubt not, complete the outfit by the addition of a sum sufficient to defray all the necessary expenses."

*

Under the head of original researches, I may call to the Regents the fact of my having been directed to continue my own investigations on physical science, and to report occasionally to the Board my progress therein. In the course of last year, I found an opportunity while at Princeton, to commence a series of investigations on radiant heat, which apparently produced some results of interest, but which my subsequent engagements have prevented me from fully developing. I was also directed to cause to be made a series of experiments on the economical value of building material. It will give me much pleasure to obey this instruction of the Board as soon as a place in the Smithsonian building and the necessary apparatus are procured for properly conducting the research.

Reports on the progress of knowledge.

The Smithsonian Contributions are intended to consist of entirely original additions to the sum of human knowledge, and are to be principally exchanged for the transactions of learned societies, and to be distributed among public institutions. The Reports, on the other hand, are to be of a more popular kind, and are intended for as wide a distribution as the funds of the Institution or the means of publishing them may permit. They will give an account of the progress of the different branches of knowledge in every part of the world, and will supply a desideratum in English literature.

ter.

The objects of the Smithsonian Institution are not educational. The press in our country already teems with elementary works on the dif ferent branches of knowledge, and to expend our funds in adding to these, would be to dissipate them without perceptible effect. Neither do we believe that the distribution of penny magazines, or tracts on the rudiments of science, can ever supersede the labors of the school-masAs a general rule, knowledge presented in a fragmentary form, can only be useful to minds well stored with general principles, to which the isolated facts may be referred; and knowledge, both fragmentary and diluted, is almost worthless, even in the way of popular distribution. The elementary principles of science may be systematically taught to a certain extent in common schools, and the reports we intend to publish will be found of value to the teacher, and through him to the pupil, as well as interesting to the general reader. While these reports are rendered as free as possible from technical terms, they will treat of

* Since writing this report, the appropriation has been made by Congress.

subjects requiring attention and thought to understand them. We think it better that they should be above rather than below the average intelligence of the country; that they should start from a given epoch, and in most cases should be preceded by a brief exposition of the vious state of each subject.

pre

Arrangements have been made for commencing some of these preliminary reports, as well as reports on the state of our knowledge of special subjects; among these are

1. A report on the present state of chemistry as applied to agriculture. 2. A report on the forest-trees of North America, giving their economical uses, their mode of propagation, and their history.

3. A report on the present state of our knowledge of lightning and the best means of guarding against accidents from its effects.

4. A report on the late discoveries in astronomy.

5. A report on meteorological instruments, with practical observations and directions with reference to the use of them.

In connexion with this last report, I may mention that a proposition has been made to the Institution by Professor Guyot, of the University of Neufchatel, relative to the importance of commencing at this epoch, and at the beginning of the labors of the Smithsonian Institution, the adoption of the centigrade scale of the thermometer. This is a subject, indeed, worthy of the attention of the Regents. It should, however, be discussed with caution, and be decided only after due deliberation.

The first idea of reports on the progress of knowledge, with which we are acquainted, is due to the Emperor Napoleon, who called upon the French Academy of Sciences, to present him with accounts of the progress of the different branches of knowledge within a given period. Until within the last few years the only regular reports of the kind were those presented to the Swedish Academy. Since that time, however, a series of annual reports on chemistry have been commenced by an association of gentlemen in France, and also a series on the different branches of material science, by the Physical Society of Berlin. The several numbers of the latter are now in progress of translation, in order to furnish in part the materials for the reports to be prepared for the Smithsonian Institution during the coming year.

Although comparatively little has been done in our country in the way of original research, yet it might be important that the Institution should call for the preparation of a report on the history of the progress of original science in America down to the end of the present half century. This report would exhibit a constant increase in the number and importance of the researches made in our country, and might be found of much service in giving due credit to the labors of those who have been really engaged in the advance of knowledge among us. A report of this kind, however, would require the association of a number of persons combining literary with scientific attainments.

Occasional publication of separate treatises on subjects of general interest.

This part of the plan of organization requires to be carried into operation with much caution. It is liable to much abuse, unless the pub

lication be restricted to a well defined range, viz: to scientific reports on the present state of knowledge of a given subject, to precede the periodical reports; to translations from foreign languages of papers of general interest; and occasionally, perhaps, the exposition of a subject on which, at a particular time, popular knowledge is required. We should be careful not to establish a precedent which may lead us into difficulty, in the way of declining the publication of works which may be presented to us. Scarcely a week passes in which the Institution is not requested to publish some essay or compilation, and the funds which can be devoted to all our publications would not suffice for one half of those offered of this kind. The only work of this class which has yet been attempted by the Institution, is one entitled, "Hints on Public Architecture," under the direction of the Building Committee. Although the Secretary's name was mentioned in the resolution authorizing the publication of this treatise, yet he has thus far had no connexion with it. The publication was authorized before the details of the plan of organization were fully settled. It was at first intended merely as a report of the Building Committee, giving an account of the plans submitted, and the one adopted for the Smithsonian building, together with a report of the investigations of the committee with regard to the materials of construction, &c. It was afterwards changed into the form of a regular treatise, in order that it might be referred to a commission of persons chosen to examine it, and that, the Institution might thus be relieved from the responsibility of pronouncing upon its fitness for publication. I think it important that, besides the preface of this work, a full account of its origin should be given in an introductory advertisement.

Library.

During the past year the library has continued to increase by donations, and by the books which have been deposited by publishers, in accordance with the 10th section of the act establishing the Institution. The requirements of this act are, however, not strictly observed by all publishers; and I would direct the attention of the Board to a special report of the Assistant Secretary with reference to this point. The whole subject will probably come before Congress during its present

session.

Professor Jewett, the Assistant Secretary, has been industriously engaged during the past year in procuring statistics of the libraries of the United States, and in digesting plans for the details of the library of the Institution, and I beg leave to refer you to the able and interesting report of the results of his labors, herewith submitted. A considerable portion of the copies of the Smithsonian Contributions will be presented to public institutions which publish transactions, and which are able to present us in return with additions to our library. The volume now in process of distribution has been preceded by a circular requesting exchanges of the works of all institutions which issue transactions and catalogues of all libraries to which the Contributions may be sent.

Preparation for lecturing.

The plan of organization contemplates a series of free lectures, particularly during the session of Congress. These will be commenced as soon as the building is ready for the purpose. This part of the plan also cannot be put into full operation until after the building is completed. A number of gentlemen have consented to favor us with their services. Men of talents, however, cannot be expected to leave their homes and subject themselves to the expense of visiting Washington, and to the trouble of preparing a course of lectures, without a proper remuneration. It will be necessary, therefore, that an annual appropriation be made for this purpose. The amount, however, must necessarily be small until the building is completed, or until all the interest of the fund can be devoted to the primary objects of the Institution. Besides this, the lecture-room in the east wing, now finished, will scarcely hold more than five hundred persons, while the one in the main building is intended to accommodate twice as many.

Donation.

Dr. Robert Hare, of Philadelphia, having resigned the chair of che mistry in the University of Pennsylvania, which he had filled with honor to himself and his country for nearly thirty years, has presented to the Smithsonian Institution the instruments of research and illustration, collected and used by himself during his long and successful scientific career. Many of these instruments are the invention of the donor, are connected with his reputation, and belong to the history of the science of our day. The gift is important, not only on account of its intrinsic value, but also as establishing a precedent of liberality, which we trust will be frequently observed by others, as well as being an expression of Dr. Hare's approbation of the plan and confidence in the stability of the Institution. A number of other donations have been received, of which a list, with the names of the donors, will be given in a subsequent report.

In view of what has been stated in the foregoing report, the Secretary trusts that the Board of Regents will be satisfied, if ever they had any doubts on the subject, that the plan adopted is one well calculated to carry out the benevolent intentions of the donor, of increasing and diffusing knowledge among men; and that a satisfactory answer has been given to the question frequently asked, namely, When is the Institution to begin? It will be seen that it has commenced the most important part of its operations, and the results are now in progress of dissemination in every part of the civilized world.

Respectfully submitted,

JOSEPH HENRY, Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution.

THIRD ANNUAL REPORT

Of the Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, for the year 1849.

To the Board of Regents of the Smithsonian Institution:

GENTLEMEN: In accordance with the resolution that the Secretary shall present at each annual meeting of the Board of Regents an account of the operations of the Institution during the past year, I respectfully submit the following.

Agreeably to the scheme of finance adopted by the Board, the greater portion of all the income of the Smithsonian fund is at present devoted to the erection of the building; and until this is paid for, the money which can be appropriated to the active operations of the Institution will be comparatively small, not only small in proportion to the demands made upon it, but small in reference to the results which the public generally expect it to produce. It is believed, however, that a proper consideration of the facts presented in the following report will warrant the conclusion, that the Institution, during the past year, has been gradually extending its sphere of usefulness, and successfully bringing into operation the different parts of its plan of organization.

It will be recollected that the several propositions of the programme were adopted provisionally, and it is gratifying to be able to state that experience thus far has indicated no important changes. The general plan has continued to receive the approbation of the enlightened public both in this country and in Europe, and to increase general confidence in the power of the Institution to confer important benefits on our country and the world.

In presenting the different operations of the Institution, I shall adopt, as in my last report, the principal divisions of the programme:

1st. Publication of memoirs in quarto volumes, consisting of positive additions to knowledge.

2d. Institution of original researches, under the direction of competent

persons.

3d. The publication of a series of reports, giving the present state and progress of different branches of knowledge.

4th. Formation of a library and museum of objects of nature and art. 5th. Lectures.

Publication of Memoirs.

Agreeably to the plan of the Institution, these memoirs are intended to embody the results of researches which could not otherwise be readily published, and are to be distributed to societies, public libraries, and other institutions. An account of the first memoir was given in the last report. It relates to the ancient monuments of the Mississippi valley, and occupies an entire volume. It has been presented, as far as opportunity would permit, to the principal literary and scientific societies of the world, to all the colleges and larger libraries of this country, and has everywhere