17 [120] 



Ancient Monuments. 



Another object, the prosecution of which falls pnrii.nilaiiy within the 

 province of the institution, is that of obtaining descriptions of tlie ancient 

 monnments of North America. Circulars have been sent to gentlemen in 

 various parts of the country, requesting thenito furnish surveys and explo- 

 rations of mounds, and other ancient works, which are rejmt'cd to exist in 

 their vicinity. To facilitate these investigations, we have requested 

 the authors of the first volume to draw up, from the results of their ex- 

 perience, a set of instructions for the proper examination and description 

 of works of this kind. The same subject has also been placed before 

 several historical societies, established in places where mounds are known 

 to exist. In connexion with this subject, we cannot too highly commend 

 the policy of the new Territory of Minnesota, Avhich, among the first of its 

 acts, has established a Historical Society, to gather up the record of events 

 as they occur, and thus to preserve the unappreciated facts of the present- 

 destined to become history in the future. An important and interesting part 

 of the labors of such societies would be the survey and exploration of 

 the ancient monuments which migb.i bel<:>und in their vicinity. Brief ac- 

 counts of these might be published in the proceedings of the societies, 

 while detailed descriptions and drawings could be given to the world at 

 the expense and through the transactions of the Smithsonian Institution. 



Tiie pubhcation of our first volume has awakened a lively interest in 

 this subject, and we have received accounts of various locations of mounds 

 and other ancient works in different parts of the country which were pre- 

 viously unknown, A gentleman, well qualified for the task, is now engaged 

 in preparing for us an ethnoloi^ical chart indicating the relative positions, as 

 far'as they are known, of all the monuments of this kind. This chart may 

 be improved from time to time, and will be the means of t'liciting important 

 additional information. Indeed this whole subject should be prosecuted by 

 the institution, until all accessible information has been collected. The 

 Smithsonian Institution owes this to the wor'd. The work should be done 

 quickly, for the plough, as well as the elements, are eveiy year rendering 

 less visible the outlines and distinctive forms of tliese remnants of the arts 

 and policy of the ancient inhabitants of this continent. 



Bibliographia Americnna. 



In the last report an account is given of the preparation of a work on 

 the bibliography of America, by Henry Stevens, of Vermont. This work, 

 it will be recollected, is to contain a brief account of every book published 

 in, or relatinf' to. North America, prior to 1700, with references to the dif- 

 ferent libraries in this and other countries, in which these works are to be 

 found. The institution agreed to publish this work at its own expense, 

 provided, on examination by a commissionof competent judges, it is found 

 properly executed. Mr. Stevens is now engaged in the British Museum 

 cataloguing all (he works embraced in his plan, and informs me that he 

 is making good progress in his enterprise. 



Reports on the Progress of Knowledge. 



Of the reports on the progress of knowledge proposed in the plan cf 

 organization, none have as yet been published, though several of those 



Mis.— 2 



