402 MEMORIAL OF JOSEPH HENRY. 



(a.) System of extended meteorological observations for solving 

 the problem of American storms. (6.) Explorations in descriptive 

 natural history, and geological, magnetical, and topographical sur- 

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

 the United States, (c.) Solution of experimental problems, 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 publication of scientific facts, accumulated in the 

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

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

 researches, and accurate surveys of places celebrated in American 

 history. (/.) 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 present 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 with 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 published in 

 separate parts, so that persons interested in a particular branch can 

 procure the parts relating to it without purchasing the whole. 

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

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

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



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



t The following are some of the subjects which may be embraced in the reports : 



I. PHYSICAL, CLASS. 1. Physics, including astronomy, natural philosophy, chem- 

 istry, 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 his- 

 tory, comparative philology, antiquities, &c. 6. Statistics and political economy. 

 7. Mental and moral philosophy. 8. A Purvey 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. 11. Bibliography. 12. Obituary notices of 

 distinguished individuals. 



