XII JOURNAL OF THE BOARD. 



This work has also been published by Congress in a royal-octavo 

 volume, and has been widely distributed during the present year. 

 Eespectfully submitted. 



ASA GEAY, 

 Chairman of the Committee. 



On motion of Dr. Maclean, it was — 



Resolved, That the report be accepted, and the thanks of the Board 

 tendered to the Committee for the satisfactory manner in which the duty 

 devolved upon them had been discharged. 



General Sherman, from the Executive Committee, presented the fol- 

 lowing report : 



To the Board of Eegents : 



Gentlemen : The Executive Committee, having had its attention 

 called by the Secretary to the combustible nature and insecure condi- 

 tion of the eastern portion of the Smithsonian building, together with 

 its want of adaptability to the purposes of the Institution, has decided 

 to recommend that measures be taken to substitute fire-proof materials 

 for the present wood and plaster partitions of the apartments. 



Messrs. Cluss & Schultze, architects, have presented plans for this 

 purpose, which, without materially changing the general architecture 

 of the building, will i^rovide largely increased accommodations for the 

 offices and working rooms, the storage of publications, exchange depart- 

 ment, &c. 



The Committee, therefore, after due consideration of the subject, 

 recommends to the Board of Eegents the adoption of the following 

 resolution : 



Resolved,, That the Secretary and Executive Committee present to 

 Congress plans and estimates for rendering the east wing of the Smith- 

 sonian building fire-proof, to request an appropriation therefor, and, if 

 the means are furnished, to proceed with the work. 



PETEE PAEKEE. 

 JOHX MACLEAN. 

 WILLIAi\r T. SHEEMAN. 



The resolution was unanimously adopted. 



The Secretary called attention to the approaching annual meeting of 

 the ISTational Academy of Sciences, and requested instructions as to 

 granting the use of a hall in the new museum for its sessions and those 

 of similar scientific bodies. 



On motion of Dr. Gray, it was — 



Resolved, That the Secretary be authorized to provide, in the building 

 of the Jfatioual Museum, such accommodation as the ^S^ational Academy 

 of Sciences may need at its meetings in Washington, and which may 

 be afforded without inconvenience to the establishment ; also, that the 



