REPORT OF THE SECRETARY. • 43 



been much less since the adoption of the rule restricting its use to 

 the purposes of the Institution exclusively has become more gener- 

 ally known. This rule, which has been widely approved of by the 

 enlightened public, has precluded a large amount of unprofitable cor- 

 respondence and enabled the Institution to avoid an embarrassing and 

 inausjDicious connexion with sensational expositions of the exciting 

 subjects of the day. 



From the preceding account of the present condition of the Insti- 

 tution, and of its operations during the past year, as well as from the 

 examination of the collections and publications, it is hoped that, not- 

 withstanding the unfavorable condition of the country for scientific 

 research, and the diminished means at our command, it will appear 

 that the line of policy and of action originally adopted has been pur- 

 sued with unabated ardor and with corresponding success. 

 Respectfully submitted. 



JOSEPH HENRY, Secretary, 



Washington, 1864. 



