REPORT OF THE SECRETARY. 45 



ture on the first steps in the study of high antiquity in Europe, pre- 

 pared for the Institution by A. Morlot, of Switzerland; the prize 

 questions proposed by various scientific societies in Europe; a report 

 on the French scientific exploration of Mexico; an account of a jour- 

 ney to the Youcan, by W. W. Kirby, of an exploration in Upper 

 California, by John Feilner, of an exploration of Western Missouri, 

 by Dr. P. R. Hoy, with tables of weights and measures and chemi- 

 cal equivalents. 



From this list it will be seen that the articles in the appendix con- 

 sist principally of translations from foreign scientific publications not 

 generally accessible to readers in this country, and of original articles 

 prepared especially for the Institution. 



At an early period it had been proposed to establish a printing 

 office in connexion with the Institution, and the experiment was 

 eventually tried. The result, however, conclusively proved that the 

 expense of keeping up an establishment of this kind was far greater 

 than the cost of having the printing done elsewhere. The "Contri- 

 butions" and •' Miscellaneous Collections" have principally been 

 printed by Mr. T. K. Collins, of Philadelphia, whose execution of the 

 work has been highly satisfactory, and who has had at his disposal 

 unusual facilities for performing the various kinds of printing required 

 in our diversified series of publications. 



In consideration of the high price of paper and printing, and in 

 order that it might be always in our power to issue new editions of any 

 of our works, it has been thought advisable for the last four years to 

 stereotype all our publications, and, for the security of the plates, to 

 store them in a fire-proof receptacle. In view of this latter object, 

 application was made to the Academy of Natural Sciences of Phila- 

 delphia for the use of a portion of the extensive fire-proof basement 

 of its building. This proposition was cordially acceded to by the 

 curators of the academy; a separate room was set apart for our ac- 

 commodation, and all the plates not in actual use by the printer are 

 now deposited in an apartment entirely secure from fire, and under 

 the exclusive control of the Institution. The favor thus conferred 

 by the academy is an illustration of the friendly relations which 

 exists between this Institution and other establishments for the ad- 

 vancement of knowledge; and I scarcely need say that special thanks, 

 in behalf of the Board of Regents, have been given to the society for 

 its liberality and kindness in this matter. 



Ethnology. — As we have stated in previous reports, this has been a 

 subject to which the Institution has given particular attention. In- 



