

BY THE ENGLISH SCIENTIFIC COMMISSION. 787 



scientific courses obligatory, or is it voluntary on the part 

 of the students ? — It is obligatory. Perhaps there may be 

 some courses that are not, but the pupils arc obliged to be 

 examined in chemistry and natural philosophy, and, I think, 

 in natural history, in order to obtain degrees. 



1460. Even those who wish to take a degree in arts would 

 be examined in science ? — Yes. 



1461. {Dr. Sharpey.) Besides the geological surveys there 

 are other scientific surveys, are there not, undertaken by the 

 United. States Government, such as the Coast Survey? — 

 Yes, that is a very large establishment, and a very impor- 

 tant one. 



1462. And a very large amount of natural history knowl- 

 edge is obtained in that way, is it not? — Yes, that which 

 pertains to the sea. Many investigations with regard to the 

 gulf stream have been made, and soundings are now in pro- 

 gress in it, under the direction of Professor Pcirce, the Su- 

 perintendent of the Survey. 



1463. And also observations and collections in marine 

 zoology ? — Yes. . 



1464. Those are conducted of course by competent scien- 

 tific men ? — Yes. 



1465. Who directs or advises with the Government in 

 appointing those gentlemen ? — The appointments are made 

 really by the Director of the Survey, nominally by the Sec- 

 retary of the Treasury; the Director of the Survey nomi- 

 nates the officer whom he considers a proper man, and he 

 is appointed. 



1466. I think you mentioned that the aid given by the 

 Smithsonian Institution for the advancement of science and 

 for scientific research, is to individuals, in the way of costly 

 apparatus" or appliances, expense of computation, and the 

 like, and assistance of various kinds? — Yes. The idea at 

 first was to appoint professors and to support them, but the 

 difficulty is to get men who can undertake original research ; 

 They are not obtained to order. Like poets, they must be 

 born, not made. 



1467. That is to say, men who spontaneously undertake 

 researches would apply to you, and then you give them such 

 assistance as you deem requisite to enable them to carry on 

 their research ? — Yes. 



1468. There is no attempt then made to create an insti- 

 tution or institutions for the direct advancement of science, 

 for instance, great laboratories, in which scientific men 

 would be invited to undertake researches ? — Before the fire 



