ADVERTISEMENT. 



This voluiuc t'oniis tlie tliirtietli of a scries, coiuposod of orij^-inal memoirs 

 on different branches of kiiowledii'e, jmblislied at the expense and under the 

 direction of the Smitlisonian Institution, 'llie pnldicatiou of this series forms 

 part of a general phin adopted foi- (•arr\-in»- into effcet tlie benevolent intentions 

 of James Smithson, Es(j., of Kn<;land. This yentleuian left his property in 

 trust to the United States of America to found at Wasiiin<iton an institution 

 which should liear his own name and liave for its objects tlie "///rrra.sv and 

 dlffiisiou of knowledge among men." This trust was accepted liy the Govern- 

 ment of the United States, and acts of ('ongress were passed August 10, 1846, 

 and March 12, 1894, constituting the President, tlie Vice-President, the Chief 

 Justice of the United States Supreme Court, and the heads of Executive 

 Departments an establishment under the name of the "Smithsonian Institution, 



FOR THE INCREASE AND DIFFUSION OF KNOWLICDGE AMONCJ MEN." The ineudjcrs of 



this establishment are to hold stated and sjti'cial meetings for the supervision of 

 the affairs of the Institution and for the advice and instruction of a Board of 

 Regents to whom tlie financial and other affairs are intrusted. 



The Board of Regents consists of two mend)ers ex ofiicio of the establisli- 

 ment, namely, the Vice-President of the United States and the Chief Justice 

 of the Supreme Court, together witli twelve other membei's, three of Avhoui are 

 ap})ointed from the Senate from its own body, tlu-ee from the House of Rei)re- 

 sentatives from its members, and six persons ap[)oInted by a joint resolution of 

 both Houses. To this Board is given the ])ower of electing a Secretary and 

 other officers for conducting the active operations of tlie Institution. 



To carrv into effect the purposes of tlie testator, the ])laii of organization 

 should evidently embrace two objects: one, the increase of knowledge by 

 the addition of new truths to the existing stock; the other, the diffusion of 

 knowdedge, thus increased, among men. No restriction is made in favor of any 

 kind of knowledge, and hence each branch is entitled to and should receive 

 a share of attention. 



The act of Congress establisliing tlie Institution directs, as a part of the plan 

 of organization, the formation of a librar\', a museum, ami a gallery of art, 

 together with provisions ibr phvsical research and pojiular lectures, while it 

 leaves to the Regents the power of adopting such other j)arts of an organization 

 as they may deem Ijest suited to promote the objects of the beciuest. 



