ADVERTISEMENT. vii 



DETAILS OF THE SECOND PART OF THE PLAN OF ORGANIZATION. 



Thi.s part contemplates the formation of a Library, a Museum, and a Gallery of 

 Art. 



1. To carry out the plan before described, a library will be required, consisting, 

 1st, of a complete collection of the transactions and proceedings of all the learned 

 societies in the world ; 2d, of the more important current periodical publications, 

 and other works necessary in preparing the periodical reports. 



2. The Institution should make special collections, particularly of objects to 

 verify its own publications. Also a collection of instruments of research in all 

 branches of experimental science. 



3. With reference to the collection of books, other than those mentioned above, 

 catalogues of all the different libraries in the United States should be procured, in 

 order that the valuable books first purchased may be such as are not to be found 

 elsewhere in the United States. 



4. Also catalogues of memoirs, and of books in foreign libraries, and other 

 materials, should be collected for rendering the Institution a centre of bibliographi- 

 cal knowledge, whence the student may be directed to any work which he may 

 require. 



5. It is believed that the collections in natural history will increase by donation 

 as rapidly as the income of the Institution can make provisions for their reception, 

 and, therefore, it will seldom be necessary to purchase any articles of this kind. 



6. Attempts should be made to procure for the gallery of art casts of the most 

 celebrated articles of ancient and modern sculpture. 



7. The arts may be encouraged by providing a room, free of expense, for the 

 exhibition of the objects of the Art-Union and other similar societies. 



8. A small appropriation should annually be made for models of antiquities, such 

 as those of the remains of ancient temples, tScc. 



9. For the present, or until the building is fully completed, only one permanent 

 assistant to the Secretary will be required, to act as librarian. 



10. The Secretary and his assistants, during the session of Congress, will be 

 required to illustrate new discoveries in science, and to exhibit new objects of art ; 

 distinguished individuals should also be invited to give lectures on subjects of 

 general interest. 



11. When the building is completed, and when, in accordance with the Act of 

 Congress, the charge of the National Museum is given to the Smithsonian Insti- 

 tution, other assistants will be required. 



The first memoir ot' the proper character presented after the adoption of the 

 foregoing plan of organization, was the one which occupies the present volume. 



