32 REPORT OF THE SECRETARY. 



In order to complete the series of the entomological publications of 

 the Institution, a want of the intelligent public remains to be sup- 

 plied, that of a popular work on Entomology in general, designed to 

 serve as an introduction to this department of zoology, and to facili- 

 tate its acquisition by presenting its elements in an attractive form, 

 while at the same time infusing the true philosophical spirit of the 

 science. Such a work is in contemplation, and will promote more 

 than any other the diffusion of this branch of knowledge. 



Reports. — The next class of publications consists of the annual Re- 

 ports to Congress. These reports, which are printed at the expense 

 of the Government, consist each of an octavo volume, limited to 450 

 pages. They contain the report of the Secretary, the acts of the Re- 

 gents, and an appendix, consisting of a synopsis of lectures delivered 

 at the Institution, extracts from correspondence, and information of a 

 character suited to the meteorological observers, teachers, and other 

 persons especially interested in the promotion of knowledge. The ap- 

 pendix to the report for 1860 contained three lectures of a course on 

 Roads and Bridges, by Prof. Fairman Rogers, the remainder of which 

 will be given in the report for 1861 ; an extended series of lectures 

 on Mollusca or Shell-fish, and their allies, by Philip P. Carpenter ; 

 general views on Archaeology, by A. Morlot, translated from the 

 French ; a series of articles translated from foreign journal* ; and ex- 

 tracts from correspondence, principally on meteorologj'' and natural 

 history. 



Of this report 10,000 extra copies were ordered by Congress, of 

 which 4,000 were presented to the Institution for distribution among 

 its special correspondents. The requests for this work have been 

 constantly increasing, and the demand for back numbers to complete 

 sets has been greater than the Institution could supply. 



The following general rules for the distribution of these reports 

 have been adopted : 



1st. They are presented to all the meteorological observers who 

 send records of the weather to the Institution. 



2d. To the collaborators of the Institution. 



3d. To donors to the museum or library. 



4th. To colleges and educational establishments. 



5th. To public libraries and literary and scientific societies. 



6th. To teachers, or individuals who are engaged in special studies, 

 and who make direct application for the volumes. 



