286 WRITINGS OF JOSEPH HENRY. [1848 



the whole twenty-four hours, may give notice to all persons 

 along the telegraphic lines, of the occurrence of interesting 

 meteorological phenomena, and thus simultaneous observa- 

 tions be secured. The advantage to agriculture and com- 

 merce to be derived from a knowledge of the approach of a 

 storm, by means of the telegraph, has been frequently 

 referred to of late in the public journals. And this, we think, 

 is a subject deserving the attention of the General Govern- 

 ment. - - - 



Under the head of original researches, I may recall to the 

 attention of the Regents the fact of my having been directed 

 to continue my own investigations on physical science, and 

 to report occasionally to the Board my progress therein. In 

 the course of last year, I found an opportunity while at Prince- 

 ton to commence a series of investigations on radiant heat, 

 which apparently produced some results of interest, but which 

 my subsequent engagements have prevented me from fully 

 developing. I was also directed to cause to be made a series 

 of experiments on the economical value of building ma- 

 terial. - - - 



The Smithsonian Contributions are intended to consist of 

 entirely original additions to the sum of human knowledge, 

 and are to be principally exchanged for the transactions of 

 learned societies, and to be distributed among public insti- 

 tutions. The reports, on the other hand, are to be of a more 

 popular kind, and are intended for as wide a distribution as 

 the funds of the Institution, or the means of publishing them 

 may permit. They will give an account of the progress of 

 the diflPerent branches of knowledge in every part of the 

 world, and will supply a desideratum in English literature. 



The objects of the Smithsonian Institution are not educa- 

 tional. The press in our country already teems with ele- 

 mentary works on the different branches of knowledge, and 

 to expend our funds in adding to these, would be to dissi- 

 pate them without perceptible effect. 



