21, [ 108 ] 



apj)ropriatioii was made lo I'urnish a larger number at stations than previ- 

 ously with barometers and thermometers, by distributing these instruments 

 in some cases entirely at the expense of the Institution, and in others by 

 selling them to the observers at half their original cost ; but the demand 

 was so great, and the loss !)y breakage in transmitting the instruments so 

 frequent, that the appropriiitions were soon exhausted, and until we can 

 alford to devote a large sum to the object, and employ a special agent to 

 ti-ansport the articles to their destination, it will be inadvisable to attempt 

 anything more in this way. 



Though the instruments employed by these observers in some cases can 

 not be relied on for giving absolute results, yet they serve a good purpose 

 in determining changes of pressure and temperature, and the returns give 

 all the varying phases of the sky. 



Thus far, the returns which have been received from this system have 

 heen arranged in folio volumes, and a beginning has been made in the way 

 of deducing general conclusions from them, which may test the value of 

 the observations and lead to their improvement by suggesting other objects 

 of inquiry. The results already obtained give promise of interesting and 

 valuable atklitions to our knowledo-e of the nature of the storms which tra- 

 verse this continent during the winter seasons, and will probably serve to 

 settle definitely several theoretical questions of much interest to the meteor- 

 ologist. 



The meteorological correspondence of the Institution is principally at- 

 tended to by Professor Foreman, and the labor which this involves is suffi- 

 cient to occupy the greater portion of his time. The letters received from 

 this class of cooperators are not confined to the subject of meteorology, 

 but include the whole domain of physical science. We consider it, as 

 before observed, a duty in all such cases to give the information required ; 

 and if this is not in the possession of the officers connected with the Insti- 

 tution, it is procured from other sources. 



For the details as to the management of the meteorological affairs of 

 the Institution, see Professor Foreman's report on this subject. 



Library and Colledions. — It will be recollected that the income of the 

 Institution was, by a compromise alluded to in a former report, to be divided 

 into two equal parts, one part to be ilevoted to the formation of a museum, 

 a library and a gallery of art, and the other to publications, researches and 

 other active operations. The terms of this compromise have been ligidly 

 adhered to, as will f)e seen l>y a reference to the general statement of ac- 

 counts given in the last report, lip to the date of the appointment of Pro- 

 fessor l^nird, in July, 1S50, the part of the income devoted to the .collections 

 was expended on the library, or on objects pertaining to it. Since that 

 time, a portion has been devoted to the museum. 



It is proper to remark that tliis compromise was founded upon another, 

 namely, that the cost of the building and furniture should be limited to 

 two hundred and fifty thousand dollars. But in order to the better security 

 of the collecti;)ns, the regents have since found it necessary to add, in round 

 numbers, fifty tliousand dollars to this sum, v.'hich must of course diminish the 

 income which would otlierwise have been devoted to the active ojierations. 



It is evident that one spirit, if possible, should pervade the whole organi- 

 zation, and that the same policy should be adopted with reference to all 

 )) nts of the plan. Among the miiyiras which have been acted upon, that 



