24 Mis. No. 48. 



4. Examples of objects for which appropriations may be made. 



(1.) System of extendedrneteorological observations, particularly with 

 reference to the phenomena of American storms. 



(2.) Explorations in descriptive natural history, and geological, mag- 

 netical, and topographical surveys, to collect materials for the formation of 

 a Physical Atlas of the United States. 



(3.) Solution of experimental problems, such as a new determination of 

 the weight of the earth, of the velocity of electricity, and of light; chemical 

 analyses of soils and plants; collection and publication of articles of science, 

 accumulated in the offices of government. 



(4.) Institution of statistical inquiries with reference to physical, moral, 

 and political subjects. 



(5.) Historical researches, and accurate surveys of places celebrated in 

 American history. 



(6.) Ethnological researches, particularly with reference to the different 

 races of men in North America; also explorations and accurate surveys of 

 the mounds and other remains of the ancient people of our country. 



DETAILS OF THE PLAN FOR DIFFUSING KNOWLEDGE. 



I. By the piLhlication of a series of reports, giving an account of the new 

 discoveries in science, and of the changes made front year to year in all 

 branches of knowledge not strictly professional . 



1. These reports will diffuse a kind of knowledge generally interesting, 

 but v/hich, at present, is inaccessible to the pubUc. Some of the reports 

 may be published annually, others at longer intervals, as the income of the 

 Institution, or the changes in the branches of knowledge may indicate. 



2. The reports are to be prepared by collaborators, eminent in the dif- 

 ferent branches of knowledge. 



3. Each collaborator to be furnished with the journals and publications, 

 domestic and foreign, necessary to the compilation of his report, to be 

 paid a certain sum for his labors, and to be named on the title-page of the 

 report. 



(4.) The reports to be published in separate parts, so that persons in- 

 terested in a particular branch can procure the parts relating to it, without 

 purchasing the whole. 



(5.) These reports may be presented to Congress, for partial distribution; 

 the remaining copies to be given to literary and scientific institutions, and 

 sold to individuals for a moderate price. 



The following are some of the subjects which may be embraced in the 



reports. 



I. PHYSICAL CLASS. 



1. Physics, including astronomy, natural philosophy, chemistry, and 

 meteorology. 



2. Natural history, including botany, zoology, geology, ttc. 



3. Agriculture. 



4. Application of science to arts. 



11. MORAL AND POLITICAL CLASS. 



5. Ethnology, including particular history, comparative philology, an- 

 tiquities, &c. 



