11 G PROCEEDINGS OF THE REGENTS. 



in your communication of the 2d of April, 1859. I trust that the 

 various cases sent you last summer from Portage La Loche reached 

 you in safety, and that the contents proved satisfactory and of in 

 terest. It will be my endeavor during the present and succeeding 

 seasons to collect the animals mentioned as being wished for by the 

 Smithsonian Institution, but I will not merely restrict myself to 

 these particular objects of research, the whole field of either science 

 or curiosity will be considered in all contributions which I may here- 

 after forward to your collection. 



The Meteorological Register for the months of September, October, 

 and November, will be forwarded by this conveyance, and I will en- 

 deavor to organize a systematic series of observations at all the posts 

 throughout this district. These of course will vary as to complete- 

 ness and accuracy according to the tastes and acquirements of the 

 officer who conducts the registry, as there are very wide differences 

 in the education and talents of the various persons in the progressive 

 grades of our service. A series of spirit thermometers of assured 

 correctness would be useful, in fact are absolutely necessary for this 

 purpose. 



As my attention will hereafter be particularly directed to ethno- 

 logical pursuits; and my public duties in conducting the affairs of this 

 large district are not very light, it will be impossible to keep the 

 regular series of meteorological observations here myself, but I will 

 delegate this duty to Mr. Andrew Flett, a very careful and intelligent 

 person, though not of a finished eduction; but any extraordinary 

 phenomena I will note myself in addition. 



By the usual summer boats a packet will be forwarded to your ad- 

 dress, containing such observations as I can collect in our journals, 

 and a complete Auroral and Weather Register taken by myself for 

 Colonel Lefroy in 1850 -51, if I can find the latter. 



In conclusion I will merely say that all that lies in my power will 

 be done to oblige you in any way. Every facility will be given to Mr. 

 R. Kennicott to collect and forward specimens of natural history; 

 free passage will be allowed him from post to post throughout the 

 district, and to all his plans the various officers under my command 

 will, I am sure, gladly render assistance. 



I have the honor to remain, dear sir, yours faithfully, 



BERNARD R. ROSS. 



Professor Henry, 



Smithsonian Institution. 



The reading of the report of the Secretary was then continued. 



On motion of Mr. Badger, the following resolution was adopted: 



Resolved, That the thanks of the Board of Regents are hereby 

 given to the various companies and individuals who have generously 

 aided in advancing the objects of the Smithsonian Institution and the 

 promotion of science, by the facilities they have afforded in the trans- 

 portation of books, specimens, &c, free of charge. 



The Board then adjourned to meet at the call of the Secretary. 



