KKPORT OF THE SECRETARY. 17 



Miscellaueous Collections, and tlio Aiinuul Kcports. The lirst consists of 

 memoirs containing positive additions to science resting on original 

 research, and which are principally the result of investigations to whicli 

 the institution has in some way rendered assistance. In all cases ihe 

 memoirs are submitted to a commission for critical examination, and 

 only accepted for publication on a fjivorable report. Tlie Miscellaiteous 

 Collections are chielly composed of works intended to faciiitate the 

 study of certain branches of natural history or of meteorology, and 

 are designed especially to induce individuals to engage in studies as 

 si)ecialties, to which in leisure moments their thoughts may recar, and 

 l)y observations and collections in relation to which they may n-ot only 

 contribute to their own pleasure but also advance the cause of science.. 

 The Annual Keports are [)ublished at the expense of the go^i•ernment,. 

 with the exception of the illustrations, which are furnished by the Insti- 

 tution. Up to the year 1851 these reports were published in ai pamphlet 

 form, and contained merely an account of the operations of tlie Institu- 

 tion for the year; but since that date an appendix ha.s been added, prin- 

 cipally consisting of translations, from foreign journals, of articles not 

 accessible to the English reader, but of interest to our meteorological, 

 observers, and to persons generally who are interested in the progress. 

 of knowledge. AVitli the addition of this appendix each rei^ort forms a 

 volume of between 101) and r>()() pages, bound in boards,, with an cloth, 

 cover. The first volume of this series contains a reprint of all the pre- 

 vious reports of the Secretary, the will of Saiithson, and tlte enactments 

 of Congress in regard to the bequest, and hence in the full set of these^ 

 reports a continuous history of the Institution is given from its organisa- 

 tion to the present time. The whole number of volumes,, including the 

 present, is fifteen; of these it is to be regretted that the gi^eater part of the- 

 extra numbers were destroyed in the fire of 18G5. AH the reports- 

 since 18G2 have been stereotyped, and the plates of these have been, 

 preserved. 



During the past year the loch volume of the Smithsonian Contribu- 

 tions to Knowledge has been published, and, in conformity with the rules 

 adopted, has been distributed to institutions in this country and abroad,. 

 The volume contains 004 pages, and is illustrated with 43 woodcuta 

 and 17 plates. The several articles contained in this volume which 

 were i)ublished separately, and an account of which Ava.^> given in ])ro- 

 vious rei)orts, are as follows : 



1. An investigation of the Orbit of Neptune, with general tables of 

 its motion, by Professor Simon IS^ewcomb. 



L*. On the fresh-water glacial drift of the uortkv\'estern States, by 

 Charles Whittlesey. 



3. Geological researches in China, Mongolia, and Japan, during the 

 years 18G2 to 18G5, by liaphael Pumpelly. 



4. Piiysical observations in the Arctic seas, by Isaac I. Hayes, M. D. 

 Another publication during the year, which is intended to form a part 



2s 



