[ 108 ] S4 



itnd no good reason cai) be assigned why (he one should not he imposed upon 

 the Institution as well as the other. Indeed, models are a species of books 

 intended to convey ideas which printing cannot impart. 



The objection to the present arrangement may be obviated by adopting 

 the sugo-estion of Professor Jewett, that but one copy, instead of three, of 

 each book, be sejit to Washington for deposite, and that in place of the 

 other tv.'o copies, a small fee be paid to the Institution, sufficient to defray 

 all expenses; the maxim again being applied of not expending the funds in 

 doing that which can and ouglit to be (ione by other means. 



By reference to the report of the Librarian, it wall be seen that the col- 

 lection of books has continued to be increased by purchase, by copyright 

 and by exchange. From the last mentioned source the Institution is ob- 

 taining a most valuable series of books of the highest interest to the 

 scientific student, consisting principally of the transactions a.m\ proceedings 

 of learned societies. In a few years, it is believed, as complete a collection 

 of these will be gathered as it is possible to obtain. 



The museum is to consist, according to the law of Congress, and the 

 terms 'of the compromise, of "objects of art, of foreign and curious 

 research and of natural history, of plants and geological and mineralogical 

 specimens." It would, hov.-ever, be unwise in the Institution to attempt 

 the formation of full collections of all these objects, or, in other words, to 

 form an establishmacnt similar to that of the British museum. The whole 

 income devoted to this object would be entirely inadequate. The portion 

 of the main building appropriated to the museum consists of a single room 

 two hundred feet long by fifty feet v^-ide. This space may be entirely filled 

 in the course of three years, without the purchase of a single article, if the 

 means be adopted which present themselves at the seat of government for 

 making collections. But when this space is filled the accumulation of speci- 

 mens must oease, or an addition be made to the building, which, to har- 

 monize with the present edifice, would involve a large expenditure. The 

 question then arises, from what source is this money to be obtained ? It 

 cannot be derived from the annual income of the capital, for this would 

 cripple the more important operations. It may be said that Congress 

 v;iil famish the means ; but this is relying on a very uncertain source, and 

 the policy of applying to Congress for any aid is doubtful. 



Furthermore, a promiscuous collection, embracing full sets of the objects 

 above specified, is unnecessary in carrying out the plan of organization of 

 the Institution. 



For example, the organic remains brought from the upper Missouri by 

 Culbertson, have been examined and reported on by Dr. Leidy, of Philadel- 

 phia, in that city; and the plants from California and Mexico have been re- 

 ferred to Dr. Torrey at Princeton, and to Dr. Gray at Cambridge. In this 

 way, not only has the learning of these gentlemen been brought into requi- 

 sition, hut also their special cabinets rendered subservient to our use. The 

 cooperation of the learning and talent, as well as the use of the libraries 

 and collections of the whole country, is an essential feature of the jilan 

 and ought not to be lost sight of. 



I would, however, distinctly disavow the iiitention of underrating the 

 importance of collections in themselves. On the contrary, it ought to be 

 the duty of the Smithsonian Institution to point out the msans by which 

 they may be made, and to aid in the work, to t]ie extent of its ability, by 



