118 REPORT OF THE SECRETARY. 



or journals -which you would like to see made accessible to every student of the sub- 

 ject of , with which your own name is here associated. 



The subject of : is, of course, divisible into others, such as 



, and we address ourselves to you in the hope that you can oblige us with the 



names of any meritorious publications, whether foreign or domestic, devoted either 

 to in general, or to any such of its subdivisions. 



To make our wants entirely clear, let me explain that the Institii^ion does not or- 

 dinarily need to be informed of the names of societies or journals dealing with all 

 departments of knowledge, but only of such transactions of societies and the names 

 of such journals as are concerned chiefly, if not wholly, with the subject in ques- 

 tion, or which, at any rate, are frequently consulted by its special students. 



It is chiefly for such technical publications that we desire lists under the two 

 heads already named. To repeat: First, of those transactions of societies or periodi- 

 cals devoted to the principal subject in question, or to some of its branches which 

 have been established within the past twelve or fifteen years and which you know 

 to be frequently consulted ; second, of those which, being long established, are of 

 now most generally recognized importance. 



I venture to address to you this- outlined plan without having any claim upon 

 your kindness other than this, that the single purpose of this request is to make the 

 (Smithsonian Library more immediately useful to every student in your own depart- 

 ment, and that nothing can contribute more directly to this end than your furnish- 

 ing the desired list, with which, if you can oblige nie, I beg we may be favored 

 within the coming month. 



In case you do not feel that your time will allow you to make it complete, I beg 

 you will not, on this account, refuse your help altogether, but rather that you will 

 put down, if only imperfectly, the transactions or journals best known to you and 

 which seem most desirable in connection with the general subject or with any of its 

 divisions as indicated. 



I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant, 



S. P. Langley, 

 Acting Secretary. 



Blank form accompanying the circular. 



List of desirable journals or transactions commenced within the past fifteen years, 

 specially devoted to or to any of its departments or subdivisions, as 



