REPORT OF THE SECRETARY. 21 



also require, in time, for rendering them fire-proof, a further cost of 

 not less than $50,000. 



The question then occurs, from what sources are the funds neces- 

 sary for this purpose to be derived? Fortunately the permanent 

 capital of the Institution is now secure and cannot be expended. The 

 income, however, which, in justice and good faith, ought to be applied 

 to the "increase and diffusion of knowledge among men," should not 

 be mortgaged, as it were, for years to come, in providing accommoda- 

 tions for the government collections. Surely the intelligence of the 

 general public and the moral sense of the community will justify 

 Congress in making seperate provision, on a proper scale, for the 

 support and extension of a government museum. 



The large drafts upon the income since the fire and the high prices 

 of labor and materials have interfered with as vigorous a prosecu- 

 tion of the active operations as was exemplified in previous years, and 

 have induced us to discontinue some enterprises in which we were 

 engaged, and to postpone others until a more favorable opportunity. 

 It will be seen, however, by the following report of the operations 

 of the Institution for the past year that much has been accomplished 

 in the way of sustaining and advancing the reputation of the estab- 

 lishment: 



Puhlicutions. — The greater part of the expenditures on publica- 

 tions during the past year has been for the printing and paper of 

 an edition from the stereotype plates of volume XIV of the Contribu- 

 tions to Knowledge, and volumes VI and VII of the Miscellaneous 

 Collections. These volumes had been published in previous years in 

 a sufficient number of copies to suppl}^ foreign exchanges, but owing 

 to the large demands on the income of the funds on account of the 

 repair of the building, we were unable at the time to distribute 

 copies to American libraries. The edition which has now been 

 printed will, however, serve to make up all our deficiencies in this 

 respect. 



The articles contained in volume XIV of the Contributions are: 



1. Discussion of the Magnetic and Meteorological Observations 

 made at the Girard College, Pliiladelphia, by Prof. A. D. Bache. 

 Parts 7-12. 



2. On the Construction of a Silvered-glass Telescope, fifteen and 

 a half inches in aperture, and its use in Celestial Photography, by 

 Prof. Henry Draper. 



3. Pctlceontology of the Upper Missouri, by F. B. Meek and F. V. 

 Hay den. Part 1. 



