PROGRAMME OF ORGANIZATION. 9 



2. The memoirs tlins obtaiued to be published iu a series of volumes, in 

 a quarto form, aud entitled Smithsonian Contributions to Knowledge. 



3. Xo memoir on subjects of physical science to be accepted for pub- 

 lication which does not furnish a positive addition to human knowledge, 

 resting on original research; and all unverified speculations to be re- 

 jected. 



4. Each memoir presented to the Institution to be submitted for ex- 

 amination to a commission of persons of reputation for learning in the 

 branch to which the memoir pertains ; aud to be accepted for publica- 

 tion only in case the report of this commission is favorable. 



5. The commission to be chosen by the oflicers of the Institution, 

 and the name of the author, as far as practicable, concealed, unless a 

 favorable decision is made. 



6. The volumes of the memoirs to be exchanged for the transactions 

 of literary and scientific societies, and copies to be given to all the col- 

 leges and principal libraries iu this country. One part of the remaining 

 copies may be offered for sale, and the other carefully preserved, to 

 form complete sets of the work, to supply the demand from new in- 

 stitutions. 



7. An abstract, or popular account, of the contents of these memoirs 

 to be given to the public through the annual re[)ort of the Regents 

 to Congress. 



II. Bij apjri'Qpriathuj a part of the income, annually, to special objects 

 of research, under the direction of suitable persons. 



1. The objects, and the amount appropriated, to be recommended by 

 counselors of the Institution. 



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 Smithsouiau 

 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, mag- 

 netical, and topographical surveys, to collect materials for the fornuition 

 of a physical atlas of the United States. 



(3.) Solution of experimental problems, such as a new determina- 

 tion 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. 



