402 MEMORIAL OF JOSEPH HENRY. 



(a.) System of extended raetcorolo^rical observations for solving 

 the problem of American storms, {h.) Explorations in descriptive 

 natural iiistory, and geological, magnetical, and toijographical sur- 

 veys, to collect materials for the formation of a Physical Atlas of 

 the United States, (c.) Solution of experimental ]>roblems, such as 

 a new determination of the weight of the earth, of the velocity of 

 electricity, and of light; chemical analyses of soils and plants; 

 collection and ])ublication of scientific facts, accumulated in the 

 offices of Government, (d.) Institution of statistical inquiries with 

 reference to physical, moral, and })olitical subjects, (e.) Historical 

 researches, and accurate surveys of ])laces celebrated in American 

 liistory. (/.) 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. 



DETAILS OF THE PLAN FOR DIFFUSING KNOWLEDGE. 



I. By the publication of a series of reports, giving an account of 

 the new discoveries in science, and of the changes made from year 

 to year in all branches of knowledge not strictly professional."^' — 

 1. These reports will diffuse a kind of knowledge generally in- 

 teresting, but which at j^resent is inaccessible to the public. Some 

 of the reports maybe published annually, others at longer intervals, 

 as the income of the Institution or the changes in the branches of 

 knowledge may indicate. 2. The reports are to be prepared by 

 collaborators eminent in the different branches of knowledge. 

 3. Each collaborator to be furnished Avith the journals and publi- 

 cations, domestic and foreign, necessary to the compilation of his 

 report; to be paid a certain sum for his labors, and to be named on 

 the title-page of the report. 4. The reports to be ])ul)lishcd in 

 separate ])arts, so that persons interested in a ])articular branch can 

 procure the parts relating to it without purchasing the Avhole. 

 5. These reports may be presented to Congress, for jjartial distri- 

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

 institutions, and sold to individuals lor a moderate price, f 



*This part of the plan has been but jiartially carried out. 



t The following are some of the suljjoet.s which may be embraceti in the reports: 



I. I'HYsicAL, Class.— 1. Physics, including astronomy, natural philosophy, chem- 

 istry, and meteorology. 2. Natural history, including botany, zoology, geology, Ac. 

 3. Agriculture. 4. Application of science to arts. 



II. MoitAL AND Poi.iTicAii CLASS. — 5. Ethnology, including particular hi.s- 

 tory, comparative philology, antiquities, Ac. 0. Statistics aiiil jKilitical economy. 

 7. Mental and moral i)hilosophy. 8. A survey of the itolitical events of tlie world; 

 I)enal reform, &c 



III. r^iTKitATi'KF, AND THE FiNE AiiTS.— it. Moiiem literature. Id. The line arts, 

 and their ai>plicatlon to tlie useful arts. 11. Bibliography. 12. Obituary notices of 

 distinguished individuals. 



