946 PROPOSED APPLICATIONS OF SMITHSON'S BEQUEST. 



the weight of the earth, of the velocity of electricity :nul of light ; chemical 

 analyses of soils and plants; collection and publication of article- of science, 

 accumulated in the offices of government. 



(4.) Institution of statistical inquiries with reference to physical, moral, 

 and political subjects. 



(").) Historical researches, and accurate survey- ,,f places celebrated in 

 American history. 



(6.) Ethnological researches, particularly with reference to tin- different 

 races 'of men in North America; also explorations and accurate surveys of 

 the mounds and other remain- .f the ancient people of our country. 



DETAILS OF THE PLAN FOR DIFFUSING KNOWLKD- . K. 



I. By the publication <>f a series of reports, <tir!n</ <m <i<-,;,>t,,f ,,/' //// new 



discoveries in science, and of the changes in<i<lr /'/ <,),< nir /<, >/,</,- in all 

 brtit:ln* ';/' l;n<nrlril<jr ,,<,f xfrirf'i/ jH'ut'cxx- 



1. These reports will ditl'u-e a kind of knowledge grin-rally i 

 l>ut which, at present, is inaccettible to the. public. Some of tin- 

 may be published annually, others at longer intervals, as the income of the 

 institution, or the change- in tin- branches of knowledge, may indicate. 



'2. The reports are to br prrpan-d by collaborators, miim-nt in tin- dif- 

 i'rrnit brancho< of knowledge. 



:!. Kach collaltorator t<> be l'nrni-hr<l \vitb tin- journals and publication^, 

 doiin-stic and foreign, nccosary to tin- compihition of bis report; to be 

 paid a certain sum for hi- labor-, and to be named on tin- title-page of tin- 

 report. 



!. The reports to be published in separate parts, so that persons intere-te< I 

 in a particular branch can procure the parts relating to it, without pur- 

 cba.-ing the whole. 



">. The-c reports may be presented to Congress, for partial distribution: 

 the remaining copies to be given to literary and scientific institutions, and 

 sold to individuals for a moderate price. 



The following are some of the subjects wh'n-1, /////// In- rml>r<n:ed in the 



reports. 



I. PHYSICAL CLASS. 



1. Physics, including astronomy, natural philosophy, chemistry, and 

 meteorology. 



2. Natural history, including botany, zoology, geology, &c. 



3. Agriculture. 



4. Application of science to arts. 



II. MORAL AND POLITICAL CLASS. 



5. Ethnology, including particular history, comparative philology, an- 

 tiquities, &c. 



6. Statistics and political economy. 



7. Mental and moral philosophy. 



8. A survey of the political events of the world ; penal reform, &c. 



III. LITERATURE AND THE FINE ARTS. 



9. Modern literature. 



10. The fine arts, and their application to the useful arts. 



II. Bibliography. 



12. Obituary notices of distinguished individuals. 



II. By the Publication of separate treatises on subjects of general interest. 



1. These treatises may occasionally consist of valuable memoirs, trans- 

 lated from foreign languages, or of articles prepared under the direction of 



