THE SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION. 89 



history, proved that they looked to the prosecution of such inquiries 

 under the auspices of the Smithsonian Institution. 



Wisely, therefore, did the first Board of Regents propose, in order to 



INCREASE KNOWLEDGE 



First. To stimulate men of talent to make original researches, by 

 offering suitable rewards for memoirs containing new truths, and to 

 publish these and such other papers of suitable character as should be 

 offered to the Institution. 



Second. To cause particular researches to be made by competent 

 persons. 



And in order to diffuse knowledge — 



First. "To publish occasionally a series of practical reports on the 

 progress of the different branches of knowledge." 



Second. " To publish occasionally separate treatises on subjects of gen- 

 eral interest." 



The results which have been produced by the Institution have re- 

 ceived the approbation of the learned in every part of the civilized 

 world, and fully justify the wisdom of the plan adopted b\^ the Regents, 

 and successfully carried into operation by the Secretary. 



As a proof of this, we need only state the following facts given in the 

 last report of the Regents to Congress. 



" The Institution has promoted astronomy, by the aid furnished the 

 researches which led to the discovery of the true orbit of the new 

 planet Neptune, and the determination of the pertm'bations of this 

 planet and the other bodies of the solar system, on accomit of their 

 mutual attraction.. It has also aided the same branch of science by 

 furnishing instruments and other facilities to the Chilian expedition, 

 under Lieutenant GiUis; and by preparing and publishing an ephem- 

 eris of Neptune, which has been adopted by all the astronomers of the 

 world. 



"It has advanced geography, by providing the scientific traveller 

 with annual lists of the occultations of the principal stars, by the moon, 

 for the determination of longitude; by the prepai-ation of tables tor as- 

 certaining heights with the barometer; and by the collection and pub- 

 lication of important facts relative to the topograpliy of different parts 

 of the country, particularly of the valley of the Mississippi. 



"It has established an extended system of meteorology, consisting 

 of a corps of several hundred intelligent observers, who are daily note- 

 ing the phases of the weather in every part of the continent of North 

 America. It has imported standard instruments, constructed hundreds 

 of compared thermometers, barometers, and ps3"chrometers, and has 

 furnished improved tables and directions for observing with these in- 

 struments the various changes of the atmosphere, as to temperature, 

 pressure, moisture, &c. It has collected, and is collecting, from its 

 observers, an extended series of facts which are yielding deductions of 

 great interest in regard to the climate of this country and the meteoro- 

 logy of the globe. 



" The Institution has advanced the science of geology, by its re- 

 searches and original pubHcations. It has made a preliminary explo- 

 ration of the remarkable region on the upper Missouri river called the 

 Bad Lands, and is now printing a descriptive memoir on the extra- 



