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be found of importance, not only in the way of original research, but 

 also in illustrating some of the most interesting and recent phenomena 

 of physical science, as well as serving as samples for imitation to the art- 

 ists of this country. It was thought that these articles would be admitted 

 free of duty, and a petition to this effect was presented to the Secretary of 

 the Treasury; but, though this officer is well known to be much interested 

 in the prosperity of the institution, such is the nature of the law that the 

 duty could not be remitted. 



There is an article of apparatus which, within a few years past, has 

 opened almost a new world of research in the phenomena of life and 

 organization, the use of Avhich is now indispensable in advancing our 

 knowledge of physiology and its kindred branches of science. I allude to 

 the achromatic microscope, to increase the power of which, the artists of 

 Germany, France, and England have vied with each other. On account 

 of the small number of persons who are capable of constructing the proper 

 lenses, the best specimens of this instrument are very scarce in this coun- 

 try, and can be procured only at a great expense. Under these circum- 

 stances, it was a matter of much interest to learn, from a source which 

 could be relied upon, that an individual in the interior of the State of 

 New York had successfully devoted himself to the study of the micro- 

 scope, and that he was able to produce instruments of this kind which 

 would compete with the best of those constructed in Europe. In order to 

 do justice to the talents and labors of this person, as well as to furnish the 

 institution with a valuable instrument of research, I requested him to con- 

 struct a microscope, to be paid for out of the funds for the purchase of 

 apparatus, provided that a commission, appointed by myself, should find it 

 capable of producing certain effects. This proposition was accepted, and 

 the result will probably be given to the board at the next meeting. 



Preparations have also been made for instituting various lines of physi- 

 cal research. Among the subjects mentioned in the programme as an ex- 

 ample for the application of the funds of the institution, is terrestrial magnet- 

 ism. I need scarcely say that this is a subject not only of high interest in 

 a theoretical point of view, but also in its direct reference to navigation and 

 the various geodetical operations of civil and military life. A resolution 

 of Congress, authorizing the exploration of the mineral lands adjacent to 

 the great lakes, has given to us the means of advancing this branch of 

 knowledge with but little expenditure of the funds of the institution. The 

 Secretary of the Treasury readily agreed to the proposition that there 

 should be added to the mineralogical and geological surveys of these 

 regions, determinations of the dip, the variation, and the intensity of the 



