NO. 4 COOPERATIVE WORK OF THE INSTITUTION 3 



(2) Explorations in descriptive natural history, and geological, magnetical, 

 and topographical surveys, to collect materials for the formation of a Physical 

 Atlas of the United States. 



(3) 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 articles of science, 

 accumulated in the offices of government. 



(4) Institution of statistical inquiries with reference to physical, moral, 

 and political subjects. 



(5) Historical researches, and accurate survey's of places celebrated in 

 American history. 



(6) 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. 



In the report for 1854 this point is again emphasized: 



It is the policy of the Institution to furnish all the means in its possession 

 to aid scientific research, and not to hoard up its treasures or confine their 

 use to those who may be immediately connected with the establishment, or 

 who may be supported by its funds. Cooperation and not monopoly is the 

 motto which indicates the spirit of the Smithsonian operations. 



And again : 



With scarcely an exception, every exploring expedition of any magnitude 

 has received more or less aid from the Smithsonian Institution. This has- 

 consisted in the supplying of instructions for making observations and col- 

 lections in meteorology and natural history, and of information as to particular 

 desiderata ; in the preparation, in part, of the meteorological, magnetical, and 

 natural history outfit, including the selection and purchase of the necessary 

 apparatus and instruments; in the nomination and training of persons to fill 

 important positions in the scientific corps ; in the reception of the collections 

 made, and their reference to individuals competent to report upon them ; and 

 in employing skillful and trained artists to make accurate delineations of the 

 new or unfigured species. Much of the apparatus supplied to the different 

 parties was invented or adapted by the Institution for this special purpose, 

 and used for the first time, with results surpassing the most sanguine 

 expectations. 



It is apparent from these and other extracts that might be made 

 from the annual reports that cooperation on the widest scale was, 

 from the outset, the prevailing motive of the Institution. It is pro- 

 posed in the following pages to give the result of recent investiga- 

 tions made with a view of ascertaining how far these early promises 

 had been carried out. 



II. THE SMITHSONIAN ORGANIZATION 

 The following named organizations are conducted under the ad- 

 ministration of the Smithsonian Institution : The United States 

 National Museum ; the Bureau of American Ethnology ; the Na- 



