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POPULAR SCIENCE MONTHLY. 



in the educational and scientific world. Their roll contains the names 

 of the most distinguished American citizens for half a century. 



An unwritten policy has grown 

 up which, without instructions or 

 regulations, has heen of profound 

 influence in the work. The Smith- 

 sonian Institution does not under- 

 take work which any existing 

 agency can or will do as well. It 

 does not engage in controversies ; it 

 limits its work to observation and 

 the diffusion of ascertained knowl- 



GEORGE BROWN GOODE. 



Assistant Secretary of the Smithsonian Insti- 

 tution, 1887-1896. 



LOUIS AGASSIZ. 



Recent of the Smithsonian Institution. 

 1863-1873. 



edge, not to speculation. It pre- 

 serves an 'open mind' for all 

 branches of knowledge and con- 

 siders any phenomena which are 

 the object of serious study within 

 its purview. Its benefits are not 

 confined to Washington nor to the 

 United States, but as far as con- 

 sistent are extended to all men. 

 Its secretaries, assistant secretaries, and scientific officers have 

 from the beginning long before a classified service existed been 



ASA GRAY. 



Regent of the Smithsonian Institution, 1874-S8. 



