6i6 The Smithsonian Institution 



Meanwhile the " Smithsonian Contributions to Knowledge " 

 had been enriched by the publication of the results of a most 

 important series of " Researches on the Ammonia- Cobalt 

 Bases," conducted by Wolcott Gibbs and Frederick A. Genth. 

 Henry describes it as " a laborious series of investigations 

 relative to a very interesting part of chemistry." It still con- 

 tinues to rank high as a model investigation, and Doctor 

 Gibbs, now the foremost of American chemists, honored at 

 home and abroad, continues, in the honorable leisure of his 

 well-spent life, to devote part of his time, in his private labora- 

 tory in Newport, Rhode Island, to the development of certain 

 portions of this classic research. This memoir was referred 

 to John F. Frazer and John Torrey, and, on their recommen- 

 dation, accepted for publication in July, 1856, and issued in 

 separate form in December of that year. It is the fifth 

 article in the ninth volume of the " Contributions." 



In returning to a consideration of the chemical laboratory, 

 it is desirable to recall those significant words of Henry, 

 already quoted in this article — that it was not the policy 

 of the Smithsonian Institution "to engage in any operation 

 which could be as well, if not better, carried on under the 

 direction and with the funds of another institution." For this 

 reason, perhaps, more than any other the chemical laboratory 

 has never been continuously occupied. During 1857 it was 

 used by Eugene W. Hilgard, who conducted a series of ex- 

 periments relative to the vapor from a modification of carbon 

 disulphide as a substitute for steam applied to mechanical 

 purposes. His results were unfavorable to the substitution. 

 Also a series of investigations relating to the prevention of 

 counterfeiting bank-notes was carried on. Soon after Pro- 

 fessor Hilgard accepted the appointment of State Geologist 

 of Mississippi, and George C. Schaeffer and Doctor Benja- 

 min F. Craig occupied the laboratory. During 1858 they 



