946 PKOPOSED APPLICATIONS OF SMITHSON's BEQUEST. 



the weight of the earth, of the velocity of electricity and of light ; chemical 

 analyses of soils and plants ; collection and publication of articles of science, 

 accumulated in the offices of government. 



(4.) Institution of statistical inquiries with reference to physical, moral, 

 and political subjects. 



(5.) Historical researches, and accurate surveys of places celebrated in 

 American history. 



(6.) Ethnological reseai-ches, particularly with reference to the different 

 races of men in North America ; also explorations and accurate surveys of 

 the mounds and other remains of the ancient people of our country. 



DETAILS OF THE PLAN FOR DIFFUSING KNOWLEDGE. 



I. By the publication of a series of reports, giving an account of the new 

 discoveries in science, and of the changes made from year to year in all 

 branches of k7iowledge not strictly professional. 



1. These reports will diffuse a kind of knowledge generally interesting, 

 but which, at present, is inaccessible to the public. Some of the reports 

 may be published annually, others at longer intervals, as the income of the 

 institution, or the changes in the branches of knowledge, may indicate. 



2. The reports are to be prepared by collaborators, eminent in the dif- 

 ferent branches of knowledge. 



3. Each collaborator to be furnished with the journals and publications, 

 domestic and foreign, necessary to the compilation of his report; to be 

 paid a certain sum for his labors, and to be named on the title-page of the 

 report. 



4. The reports to be published in separate parts, so that persons interested 

 in a particular branch can procure the parts relating to it, without pur- 

 chasing the whole. 



5. These reports may be presented to Congress, for partial distribution ; 

 the remaining copies to be given to literary and scientific institutions, and 

 sold to individuals for a moderate price. 



The following are some of the subjects which may be embraced in the 



reports. 



I. PHYSICAL CLASS. 



1. Physics, including astronomy, natural philosophy, chemistry, and 

 meteorology. 



2. Natural history, including botany, zoology, geology, «&c. 



3. Agriculture. 



4. Application of science to arts. 



II. MORAL AND POLITICAL CLASS. 



5. Ethnology, including particular history, comparative philology, an- 

 tiquities, &c. 



6. Statistics and political economy. 



7. Mental and moral philosophy. 



8. A survey of the political events of the world ; penal reform, &c. 



III. LITERATURE AND THE FINE ARTS. 



9. Modern literature. 



10. The fine arts, and their application to the useful arts. 



11. Bibliography. 



12. Obituary notices of distinguished individuals. 



II. By the Publication of separate treatises on subjects of general interest. 



1. These treatises may occasionally consist of valuable memoirs, trans- 

 lated from foreign languages, or of articles prepared under the direction of 



