ADVERTISEMENT. 



This volume forms tlie thirty-fiftli of a series, composed of original 

 memoirs on different branches of knowledge, published at the expense and 

 under the direction of the Smitlisonian Institution. The publication of this 

 series forms part of a general plan adopted for carrying into effect the benevo- 

 lent intentions of James Smithson, Esq., of England. This gentleman left his 

 property in trust to the United States of America to found at Washington 

 an institution which should bear liis own name and liave for its objects the 

 "increase and diffusion of knowledge among men." This trust was accepted 

 by the Government of the United States, and acts of Congress were passed 

 August 10, 1846, and March 12, 1894, constituting the President, the Vice- 

 President, the Chief Justice of the United States, and the heads of Executive 

 Departments an establishment under tlie name of the " Smithsonian Insti- 

 tution, FOR THE increase AND DIFFXTSION OF KNOWLEDGE AMONG MEN." The 



members of this establishment may hold stated and special 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 members ex-officio of the establish- 

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

 of the United States, together with twelve other members, three of whom are 

 appointed from the Senate by its President, three from the House of Repre- 

 sentatives by the Speaker, and six persons appointed by a joint resolution of 

 both Houses. To this board is given the power of electing a Secretary and 

 other officers for conducting the active operations of the Institution. 



To carry into effect the purposes of the testator, the olan 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 knowl- 

 edge, 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 establishing the Institution directs, as a part of the 

 plan of organization, the formation of a library, a museum, and a gallery of 

 art, together with provisions for physical research and popular lectures, while 

 it leaves to the Regents the power of adopting such other parts of an organiza- 

 tion as they may deem best suited to promote the objects of the bequest. 



Ill 



