Mis. No. 48. 19 



be referred, and knowledge, both fragmentary and diluted, is almost worth- 

 iess, even m the way of popnlar distribution. The eicnientarv principles 

 of science may be systematically taught to a certain extent in common 

 schools, and the reports we intend to publisli will be found of value to 

 the teacher, and through him to the pupil, as well as interesting to the 

 general reader. While these reports are rendered as free as possible from 

 technical terms, they will treat of subjects requiring attention and thou<Wit 

 to understand them. We think it better that they should be above, rather 

 than below the average intelligence of the country; that they should start 

 from a given epoch, and in most cases should be preceded by a brief ex- 

 position of the previous state of each subject.* 



Arrangements have been made for commencing some of these prelimi- 

 nary reports, as well as reports on the state of our knowledge of special 

 subjects; among these are — 



1. A report on the present state of chemistry as applied to agriculture. 



2. A report on the forest trees of North America, giving their econoini- 

 cal^ uses, their mode of propagation, and their history. 



3. A report on the present state of our knowledge of lightning, and 

 the best means of guarding against accidents from its effects. 



4. A report on the late discoveries in astronomy; 



5. A report on meteorological instruments, with practical observations 

 and directions with reference to the use of them. 



In connexion with this last report, I may mention that a proposition has 

 been made to the Institution by Prof. Guyot, of the University of Neufchatel, 

 relative to the importance of commencing at this epoch, and at the be- 

 ginning of the labors of the Smithsonian Institution, the adoption of the 

 centigrade scale of the thermometer. This is a suJjject, indeed, worthy 

 of the attention of the Regents. It should, however, be discussed with 

 caution, and be decided only after due deliberation. — (See appendix C.) 



The first idea of reports on the progress of knowledge, with which we 

 are acquainted, is due to the Emperor Napoleon, who called upon the 

 French Academy of Science to present him with accounts of the progress 

 of the different branches of knowledge within a given period. Until within 

 the last few years the only regular reports of the kind were those presented 

 to the Swedish Academy. Since that time, however, a series of annual 

 reports on chemistry have been commenced by an association of gentlemen 

 in France, and also a series on the different branches of material science, 

 by the Physical Society of Berlin. The several numbers of the latter are 

 now in progress of translation, in order to furnish in part the materials for 

 the reportSjlo be prepared for the Smithsonian Institution during the com- 

 ing year. 



Although comparatively little has been done in our country in the way 

 of original research, yet it might be important that the Institution should 

 call for the preparation of a report on the history of the progress of original 

 science in America down to the end of the present half century. This re- 

 port would exhibit a constant increase in the number and importance of 

 the researches made in our country, and might be found of much service 

 in giving due credit to the labors of those who have been really engaged 

 in the advance of knowledge among us. A report of this kind, however, 

 would require the association of a number of persons combining literary 

 with scientific attainments. 



