S. Mis. 53. 23 



of the distance of tlie inferior planets, and, consequent!}'', of the actual 

 distances of the several members of the solar system. A subsequent 

 appropriation was made for the purchase of an astronomical clock 

 for the same purpose. The first appropriation was repaid to the Insti- 

 tution by a grant from Congress to cover the expenses of the expedi- 

 tion, and the second will also be reimbursed by the purchase of the 

 clock and all the other instruments by the Chilian government, for the 

 permanent establishment of an observatory in that country. 



By these operations, the Institution has been the means of render- 

 ing essential aid to science, witliout, in tlie end, thminishing the amount 

 of its income. Lieutenant Gilliss, after voluntarily exiling himself from 

 his fmiily and his country for four years, has returned with a rich har- 

 vest of materials in astronomy, meteorology, magnetism, and natural 

 history, in the reduction, generalization, rmd description of which the 

 Institution may also furnish important aid. 



The sum of one hundred and fifty dollars has been advanced to 

 Prof. C. B. Adams, ot Amherst College, to defray in part the expense 

 of an exploration of the molluscs of the West Inilies. This subject is 

 intimately connected with the geological changers which have taken 

 place on the surflice of our globe ; and it was particularly with refer- 

 ence to this point that Prof. xA.dams has undertaken these researches. 

 This is his second expedition to the same regions; and in both instances 

 the Smithsonian Institution has seconded his proposition, and warmly 

 recommended it to the favorable consideration of the trustees erf Am- 

 herst College. A small sum appropriated in this way, though not 

 enough in itself to produce much eflect, is still sutlicient to complete the 

 amount to be raised, and thus serve to determine the commencement 

 of the enterprise. 



Meteorology. — The general system of observations ndatlve to the 

 meteorology of the continent of North America, described in the pre- 

 vious reports, has been continued and extended. It consists at present 

 of the following classes, viz : 



/ 1. The Smithsonian S3^stem proper, made up of voluntary observers 

 in different parts of the United States, who report Immediately to the 

 Institution. 



2. The S3'stem of observations of the Universlt}^ of the Slate of 

 New York, re-established under the direction of this Institution, and 

 supported by the State of New York. 



3. The system of observations instituted under the direction of this 

 Institution, by the State of Massachusetts. 



4. The extended s^'stem of observations made at the several military 

 posts of the United States, under the direction of the Surgeon General 

 of the army. 



5. Separate series of observations by exploring and surveying parties, 

 in some cases directed, and in part furnished with Instruments, b}^ this 

 Institution. 



G. JMeteorologlcal records from British America, consisting of obser- 

 vations made at the various posts of tlu; Hudson's Bay Company, and 

 at the resid(mce of private individuals in Canada. 



In the first three of these classes there are about two, hundred ob- 

 servers distributed over the entire continent. In the older States they 



