Exploration Work of the Institution 461 



ganizations to bring their labors in the cause of science to 

 fruition. 



In the plan of organization of the Institution, among ex- 

 amples of objects for which appropriations may be made, the 

 following are cited : 



"Explorations in descriptive natural history, and geologi- 

 cal, magnetical, and topographical surveys, to collect mate- 

 rials for the formation of a Physical Atlas of the United 

 States. 



" Ethnological researches, particularly with reference to the 

 different races of men in North America ; also explorations 

 and accurate surveys of the mounds and other remains of the 

 ancient people of our country. 



" 1 



It so happened that the first scientific memoir submitted to 

 the Institution for publication was one on American archaeol- 

 ogy — the now famous work of Squier and Davis on the 

 ** Ancient Monuments of the Mississippi Valley ; comprising 

 the results of Extensive Original Surveys and Explorations." 

 This work was submitted to the Secretary of the Institution, 

 May 15, 1847, and by him referred to the American Ethno- 

 logical Society, of which Albert Gallatin was President. The 

 committee which examined it reported it "worthy of the sub- 

 ject and highly creditable to the authors," and its publication 

 by the Institution was therefore undertaken. The Institution 

 by this action expressed its recognition of the importance 

 of scientific explorations, and has shown a continued interest 

 in work of this character by publishing, year by year, in the 

 "Contributions" or the "Report," the results of other field 

 investigations in zoology, botany, geology, and ethnology. 



The publication of Squier and Davis's work awakened an 

 interest in American archeeological investigation which has 



1 " Smithsonian Report," 1846, pages 6 and 7. 

 30* 



