788 EXAMINATION OF PROFESSOR HENRY 



we had a laboratory and a large collection of physical in- 

 struments open to any one. 



1469. Did anyone take advantage of them ? — Yes, many- 

 investigations were made, especially for the Government. 

 Frequently the Government requires scientific information, 

 and that has in many cases been obtained from investiga- 

 tions carried on in the Institution. 



1470. Do the scientific societies in America receive either 

 from the central government or from the governments of 

 the different States, any aid towards the expense of their 

 publications ? — No, not generally ; they do in certain cases 

 where investigations have been made. There is a book just 

 now published by the State, namely, " The Shells of Massa- 

 chusetts." There has been a good deal done in that way 

 in certain parts of the United States, and in Massachusetts 

 especially. 



1471. Of course, none know better than you that many 

 of those publications which are illustrated in colors are very 

 expensive ? — Yes. 



1472. And rather more so than some societies could un- 

 dertake from their own resources ? — Yes. 



1473. In such a case does the Government aid them ? — 

 No, not generally. 



1474. Would you approve of such aid ? — Yes, very much ; 

 and I think that the Government will in time see the im- 

 portance of such aid. 



1475. The Smithsonian Institution reserves its funds for 

 its own publications, does it not ? — Principally the publish- 

 ing of those things which cannot be published otherwise. 

 If they can be published in the transactions of any of the 

 societies, the Institution does not publish them. 



1476. It does not, in short, take the work of other socie- 

 ties ? — It does not ; co-operation, and not monopoly, is the 

 motto. 



1477. Could you make any suggestion by which the in- 

 terchange and intercommunication of scientific knowledge, 

 by means of papers and in other ways, could be facilitated 

 over the world still more ? — I think that the plan now 

 adopted by the Institution is a very good one. 



1478. I mean that through the post offices facilities might 

 be afforded ? — Yes, that would be a more rapid means. Our 

 exchanges are about twice a year. 



1479. Is not once a year, or even twice a year, rather a 

 long interval for the communication of scientific knowledge 

 as science is now going on ? — It is ; and for all small papers 



