KEPORT OF THE SECRETARY. ]5 



Additions from savings, &c., also in the United States 



Treasury, as a part of the original fund $108, 620 37 



In Virginia State stock, $72,760, valued at 48, 000 00 



Cash on hand 21, 477 81 



719, 477 81 



The income from the fund during the year 1870, iuclnding the pre- 

 mium on gold, Avas $43,303 12. This amount is $6,152 08 less than 

 that for 1800, due to the difference in the premium on coin. 



No interest has been received from the State of Virginia for 1869 and 

 1870. Up to 1870 the usual appropriation from Government for the 

 care of the National Museum was $4,000, but for the fiscal year com- 

 mencing July 1, 1870, this amount was increased, as we have before 

 stated to $10,000. Of this sum $5,024 have been placed to the credit 

 of the museum ; the whole expense, however, of keeping the museum, 

 irresi)ective of the interest on the building, amounted to at least $15,000. 



The remainder of the income (excepting $508 16) was expended in 

 publications, exchanges, researches, salaries, &c., and nearly $5,000 for 

 repairs on the building. 



Congress also granted, as previously stated, an appropriation of 

 $10,000 toward fitting up the large hall for the better preservation and 

 display of the collections ; but of this nothing has been drawn during 

 the year, the plans and other preparations for the improvement of the 

 building not having been completed. From the foregoing statement it 

 will be evident that the Smithson funds are in a prosperous condition, 

 and that should Congress continue annually to make an adequate sup- 

 port for the museum, they would be sufftcient on the part of the insti- 

 tution to extend its usefulness far beyond what it has yet accom- 

 plished. 



As a part of the history of the Institution, and injustice to the gen- 

 erosity of one of its earliest friends, I may mention under the head of 

 finance, that for many years during the controversy which existed 

 between the regents and the contractors in regard to the building, 

 James M. Carlisle, esq., of this city, acted as counsel for the Institu- 

 tion, and has subsequently given advice on points of law which have 

 arisen in conducting the various operations of the establishment. 

 These services, the usual charges for which would amount to compara- 

 tively a large sum, have been gratuitously rendered to the Institution; 

 for which liberality I would recommend a special resolution of thanks 

 by the Board. 



Puhli cat ions. — The publications of the Institution are of three classes — 

 the Contributions to Knowledge, the Miscellaneous Collections, and the 

 Annual Eeports. The first consist of memoirs containing positive 

 additions to science resting on original research, and which are gener- 



