PROGRAMME OF ORGANIZATION. 11 



3. As examples of these treatises, expositions may be obtained of 

 the present state of the several branches of knowledge mentioned in 

 the table of reports. 



SECTION II. 



Plan of organization, in accordance with the terms of the resolutions of 

 the Board of Regents providing for the two modes of increasing and 

 diffusing knowledge. 



1. The act of Congress establishing the Institution contemplated 

 the formation of a library and a museum; and the Board of Regents, 

 including these objects in the plan of organization, resolved to divide 

 the income* into two equal parts. 



2. One part to be appropriated to increase and diffuse knowledge 

 by means of publications and researches, agreeably to the scheme 

 before given. The other part to be appropriated to the formation of 

 a library and a collection of objects of nature and of art. 



3. These two plans are not incompatible one with another. 



4. To carry out the plan before described, a library will be required, 

 consisting, 1st, of a complete collection of the transactions and pro- 

 ceedings of all the learned societies in the world; 2d, of the more 

 important current periodical publications, and other works necessary 

 in preparing the periodical reports. 



5. The Institution should make special collections, particularly of 

 objects to illustrate and verify its own publications. 



6. Also, a collection of instruments of research in all branches of 

 experimental science. 



7. With reference to the collection of books, other than those men- 

 tioned above, catalogues of all the different libraries in the United 

 States should be procured, in order that the valuable books first pur- 

 chased may be such as are not to be found in the United States. 



8. Also, catalogues of memoirs, and of books and other materials, 

 should be collected for rendering the Institution a centre of biblio- 

 graphical knowledge, whence the student may be directed to any 

 work which he may require. 



9. It is believed that the collections in natural history "will increase 

 by donation as rapidly as the income of the Institution can make pro- 

 vision for their reception, and, therefore, it will seldom be necessary 

 to purchase articles of this kind. 



10. Attempts should be made to procure for the gallery of art casts 

 of the most celebrated articles of ancient and modern sculpture. 



11. The arts may be encouraged by providing a room, free of ex- 

 pense, for the exhibition of the objects of the Art-Union and other 

 similar societies. 



* The amount of the Smithsonian bequest received into the treasury of 



the United States is $515,169 00 



Interest on the same to July 1, 1846, (devoted to the erection of the 



building) .' 242,129 00 



Annual income from the bequest . 30, 910 14 



