14 EEPORT OF THE SECRETARY, 



way of advancing science through the agency of the Smithsonian be- 

 quest, and in the present report it is purposed to continue this histor- 

 ical account to the close of the year just passed, accompanied with 

 such other particulars as may be needed for better illustration, and 

 such suggestions as may seem necessary in regard to the policy of the 

 Institution. 



The most important event of 1SG5 was the destruction of a part of 

 the building and its contents by the fire of January 24. This event 

 must continue to form an epoch in the history of the Institution; and 

 though it cannot but be considered a most serious disaster, it may yet 

 lead to changes of importance in the correction of tendencies which 

 might ultimately have absorbed the annual income and neutralized 

 the more liberal policy which has thus far been pursued. In view, 

 therefore, of the character of the event, as well as the continuity of 

 the history, it is deemed expedient, before proceeding with an ac- 

 count of the operations of the year, to repeat briefly the facts con- 

 nected with the origin and results of the fire. 



It may be well, however, for the better information of those not 

 acquainted with the Smithsonian building, to premise in regard to it 

 the following particulars : It consists of a main edifice two hundred 

 feet long and fifty wide, with two large wings and two connecting 

 ranges, having in all an extreme length, in an east and west direction, 

 of four hundred and fifty feet. In front and rear of the middle 

 portion. are projections, terminated by high towers, two on the north 

 and one on the south side; moreover, on each corner of the middle 

 building is a smaller tower, and also one on each of the two wings. 



The whole of the first story of the main building, in a single room, 

 is devoted to the museum ; the upper story, in three apartments, 

 was assigned to the lecture room, the gallery of art, and the cabinet 

 of apparatus. The west wing is entirely appropriated to the library; 

 the east wing to the residence of the Secretary and a storeroom for 

 publications and specimens of natural history. The east connecting 

 range contains the laboratory and office rooms; the west range is an 

 extension of the museum. In the large towers were the Regents' 

 room, the oflices of the Secretary, storerooms, and workshop. 



Though the original plan was much admired for its architectural 

 effect, it was soon found that, in relation to the means at the disposal 

 of the building committee, it was too expensive to admit in its con- 

 struction of the exclusive use of fire-proof materials; hence, while the 

 exterior was to be constructed of cut freestone, it was concluded to 

 finish the interior in wood and stucco. Fortunately this plan, which 



