220 PROCEEDINGS OF THE BOARD OF REGENTS. 



manuscripts of several others which had been offered for publication. All of 

 these, he stated, had been referred for critical examination to Professor Agassiz, 

 who would favor the Board with some remarks in regard to them. 



Professor Agassiz stated that, so far as he had had an opportunity of 

 examining the original papers, he considered them worthy of publication ; that 

 he would give the whole series of works on natural history, which constitute 

 portions of what is called the Miscellaneous Collections, a critical examination, 

 and present a report upon them at a future time. At present he would beg 

 leave to make a few remarks on the importance of adopting measures for in- 

 creasing the efficiency of the active operations of the Institution by relieving 

 them of the expense of the support of the museum, library, and gallery of art. 

 Unless this could be done, many valuable contributions to science offered for 

 publication would have to be postponed or refused. He thought that the 

 resources of the Institution were inadequate to carry on at the same time its- 

 active operations, and maintain a museum, a library, and a gallery of art upon 

 the only footing upon which they can truly be creditably supported. Without, 

 therefore, making a definite motion, he would submit for future consideration 

 the propriety of asking the government to take charge of the museum, the 

 library, and the building now occupied by the Institution, with a view of main- 

 taining them on a more extensive scale, and relieving the Smithsonian Institu- 

 tion of a large expenditure which, for the advancement and diffusion of science, 

 had better hereafter be devoted to the active operations of the Institution. He 

 hoped that if such a plan would be carried out, the resources reverting to the 

 Institution from the transfer of the museum and library to the government, 

 either to form an independent organization or to be carried on hereafter as 

 before by the Smithsonian Institution, the active operations of the latter would 

 be greatly extended. 



The Secretary stated that the suggestions of Professor Agassiz were in 

 accordance with the views which had been entertained by the majority of the 

 Board of Regents from the first discussion of the organization of the Institu- 

 tion ; that the present disposition of the funds was a necessity which was im- 

 posed upon the directors by the requirements of the law of Congress establish- 

 ing the Institution, and that he had always entertained the hope that the sup- 

 port of the building and collections would in due time be provided for by the 

 general government, and a national museum be founded which would be com- 

 mensurate with the intelligence, extent, and resources of the country. 



Professor Bache fully concurred in these remarks, and moved the following 

 resolutions, which were adopted : 



Besolved, That a committee be appointed to report to the Board of Regents; 

 any suggestions for extending the active operations of the Smithsonian Institu- 

 tion, and for the separate maintenance of the collections. 



Resolved, That this committee consist of Professor Agassiz, the Secretary 

 of the Institution, Mr. Fessenden, Mr. Patterson, and Mr. Cox. 



The Board then adjourned sine die. 



