The Smithsonian Publications 485 



the editions of publications passed the Senate. When the 

 usual resolution for the publication of the Smithsonian Re- 

 port came up, it occasioned a debate, in which a number of 

 distinguished senators participated. The proposition not to 

 cut down the Smithsonian Report was championed by Sena- 

 tor Hamlin of Maine as follows : 



" I may say in behalf of the Smithsonian Institution that 

 I think this [report] is entirely distinct from the documents 

 which we publish sent to us from the departments, or which 

 emanate from our committees. This is purely a scientific 

 work. ... I think no man can ever examine a single report 

 of that institution without being impressed with its great 

 value. These reports . . . are of immense value to the 

 world, and they are transmitted all over the world, and we 

 receive back in exchange the scientific reports of the different 

 societies and different governments." 



Professor Henry explained the theory of the annual Re- 

 ports in the following words : 



"The Report of the Regents to Congress for 1858, besides 

 an exposition of the conditions and operations of the Institu- 

 tion for that year, was, as usual, accompanied by an appendix 

 containing the report of lectures, and other matter which has 

 proved highly acceptable to a large number of intelligent 

 persons in every part of the country. These Reports, copies 

 of which are especially solicited by teachers, besides furnish- 

 ing valuable knowledge not otherwise readily attainable, 

 serve to diffuse information as to the operations of the Insti- 

 tution which tends to increase the number of its friends and 

 cooperators, and to elevate popular conceptions in reference 

 to science, as well as to increase the number of its cultivators. 



"The number of copies ordered to be printed at the last 

 session was less than that of the preceding year, yet the sup- 

 ply to the Institution was the same. Indeed it is a gratifying 



"Smithsonian Report," 1859, page 32. 



