10 REPORT OF THE SECRETARY. 



and then at Nice, in France, in explorations into the remains of prehis- 

 toric man, and has presented a very large collection, the unpacking of 

 which only awaits his return to this country. It is believed that this 

 collection, filling a large number of boxes, will prove to be one of the 

 richest and most complete of its kind ever sent to the United States. 

 The results of minor researches of more or less productiveness, will 

 be detailed in the accompanying report of the National Museum. 



PUBLICATIONS. 



In view of the fact that the Annual Eeport of the Institution is yearly 

 presented to a number of readers for the first time, it seems proper to 

 repeat frequently the general statement that the publications prepared 

 by it embrace three different classes. These are: 



First, a quarto series of volumes of irregular issue entitled " Smith- 

 sonian Contributions to Knowledge," which consist of original memoirs 

 furnishing additions to scientific information, corresponding somewhat 

 with the Transactions of learned societies, though generally form- 

 ing more elaborate treatises than such publications. As a rule these 

 contributions to positive knowledge are based on experiments, obser- 

 vations, or material, carefully undertaken or gathered by the Institu- 

 tion, or they are the results of investigations originated or encouraged 

 and assisted by its means. 



The second class of publications is an octavo series of volumes en- 

 titled " Smithsonian Miscellaneous Collections," which also include 

 the presentation of a large amount of new truths developed by origi- 

 nal research, but which contain in addition useful summaries, essays on 

 improvements in classification — in zoology, botany, and other depart- 

 ments of science, and new and extended tables of physical, chemical, 

 and other natural constants ; all of which possess great value in aiding 

 the labors of scientific specialists in many directions, and at the same 

 time are calculated to encourage inquiring minds to prosecute particu- 

 lar lines of investigation, as well as to afford facilities to such students. 



The third class of publications is an octavo series of " Smithsonian 

 Eeports," presented annually to Congress, which include, in addition to 

 the usual record and statement of operations for the year, a consider- 

 able amount of carefully prepared matter on various scientific topics 

 intended for the general reader. 



Distribution.— These publications are liberally distributed for the dif- 

 fusion of knowledge, but from the absolute impossibility of producing 

 editions large enougb to supply all intelligent inquirers who might be 

 interested in tlieir perusal, the distribution is now confined: 1st, to those 

 learned societies of the first class which give to the Institution in return 

 complete sets of their own publications ; 2d, to colleges of the first 

 class furnishing catalogues of their libraries and students, and pub- 

 lications relative to their organization and history ; 3d, to public libra- 



