REPORT OF THE SECRETARY. 13 



certain fund, of which the United States has accepted the custody, for 

 the especial purpose of " the increase and diffusion of knowledge 

 among men," so that its purpose in its most general sense is not limited 

 to the people of the United States of America, but extends to all man- 

 kind. This has been interpreted as indicating such a direction of the 

 activities of the Institution as shall result — 



(1) In the increase of knowledge by original investigation and 

 study, either in science or literature. 



(2) In the diffusion of tliis knowledge by publication, not only 

 through the United States, but everywhere, and especially by promot- 

 ing an interchange of thought among those prominent in learning 

 among all nations, through its correspondents. These eml)race insti- 

 tutions or societies conspicuous in art, science, or literature throughout 

 the world. 



Its publications are in three principal issues, namely: The "Contribu- 

 tions to Knowledge," the "Miscellaneous Collections," and the "Annual 

 Eeport." jSTumerous works are published annually by it, under one of 

 these forms, and distributed to its principal correspondents, while 

 there is also published, at the expense of the Government, an edition 

 of the Report of the Board of liegents, containing an account of the 

 operations of the Institution during each year, which is distributed 

 throughout the country by the Congress. 



The Institution has been autliorized by Taw to deposit its original 

 fund in the Treasury of the United States, and it has further been 

 authorized to accept certain special bequests made by individuals, 

 where these have been such as to promote its general purpose, "The 

 increase and diffusion of knowledge among men." Thus, for example, 

 the Institution has accepted and administered a fund which, under the 

 name of the donor, is called "The Ilodgkins fund," and which is given 

 for the especial purpose of " The increase and diffusion of more exact 

 knowdedge in regard to the nature and properties of atmospheric air 

 in connection with the welfare of man;" this fund is also deposited in 

 the Treasury of the United States. Other donations have been 

 received and are administered for other specific purposes. 



The seat of the Institution is at Washington, but its activities reach 

 throughout the world in various ways, and principally through the 

 system of correspondence already referred to. The present number 

 of correspondents is about 24,000, and by means of this system the 

 Institution not only gives, but receives, communications from men of 

 learning in all countries. 



In this and other ways it has gathered at Washington a special 

 library of books bearing'upon the history of arts, sciences, discoveries, 

 and inventions. The library now includes 300,000 titles, the greater 

 pro])ortion of which is by permission of Congress deposited in the same 

 building and accessible with the National Library. 



Besides the above activities, which are carried on with the special 

 fund already referred to, of which the nation has consented to act as 

 the guardian, there are certain bureaus or divisions of the Government 

 which the legislature has placed in its especial charge, and for the cost 

 of which Congress has, at different times, made special appropriations. 

 In this way it has placed under the charge of the Institution the 

 United States National Museum, the Bureau of International Exchanges, 

 the Bureau of Ethnology, the National Zoological Park, and the Astro- 

 physical Observatory. These also are administered by the Secretary, 



