JOURNAL OF EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE. 463 



receipt of copy-right books by the Library of Congress, and the 

 Smithsonian Institution. 



Ordered, That 250 copies of the Senate document, containing the report of the Ke- 

 gents to Congress, (for 1847,) and 250 copies, in addition, of the report of the Build- 

 ing Committee, he obtained, hy the Secretary, for the use of the Regents. 



Ordered, That the chairman of the committee and the Secretary of the Institution, 

 be a sub-committee, to have the report of the Secretary (for 1847) printed for the use 

 of the Kegents. 



The Secretary laid before the committee a proposal from Dr. 

 Hare, to present to the Smithsonian Institution his collection of 

 chemical and physical apparatus on certain conditions, in reference 

 to repairs and placing the instruments ; which, on motion, was 

 referred to a sub-committee, composed of Mr. Bache and the Sec- 

 retary, who were instructed to have an interview with Dr. Hare, 

 and ascertain, precisely, the terms on which the apparatus will be 

 presented. 



And, on motion, the committee adjourned. 



SEVENTEENTH MEETING. 



Jul]/ 6, 1848. 



Present, Messrs. Seaton, (Chairman,) Pearce and Bache. 



The Secretary reported progress in regard to obtaining an en- 

 graving of the head of Smithson, and procuring the apparatus of 

 Dr. Hare. 



Also, the condition of the first volume of the Smithsonian Con- 

 tributions to Knowledge, and the printing of the copies of the 

 programme and Secretary's report. 



The Secretary reported that he had published an ephemeris of 

 the planet Neptune, by Mr. S. C. Walker, for distribution among 

 astronomers. 



The Secretary communicated a proposal from Mr. Stevens to 

 make a catalogue of books relating to America, prior to 1700. 



Also, his intention to advance sums of fifty dollars, from time to 

 time, as might be necessary, to Professor Spencer F. Baird, to ena- 

 ble him to have drawings made of researches in embiyology of 

 reptiles and fishes, as recommended by Dr. J. S. Morton, of Phila- 

 delphia, and Professor S. S. Ilaldeman, of Columbia, whose opin- 

 ions were asked by the Secretary. 



The payment of Thomas Berry's bill, for cartage of stone for 

 specimen walls, &c, $12; and James Reily, for digging to ascertain 

 nature of soil for foundations, $1, was ordered. 



And, on motion, the committee adjourned. 



