Miscellaneous Intelligence. 289 
To Dirruse KNow ence. It is proposed— 
1. To publish a series of ies reports on the progress of the 
different branches of knowledge ; an 
: 0 publish occasionally separate treatises on subjects of general 
interest. 
DETAILS OF THE PLAN TO INCREASE KNOWLEDGE. 
I. By stimulating researches. 
1, Rewards, consisting of money, medals, &c., offered for original 
memoirs on all branches of knowledge. 
2. The memoirs thus obtained to be published in a series of volumes, 
ina quarto form, and entitled Smithsonian ree tions to Knowled 
3. No memoir, on subjects of physical science, to be accepted for 
publication, which does not furnish a foie t addition to human knowl- 
edge, resting on ariginal research ; and all unverified speculations to 
be rejected. 
4. Bach memoir  biceanied to the institution to be submitted for ex- 
amination t of persons of reputation for learning in 
the branch to wide a memoir pertains ; and to be accepted for publi- 
cation only in case the report of this commission is pe e. 
5. The commission to be chosen by the officers of the ep aa 
and the name of the author, as far as practicable, fe a unless a 
favorable decision be made. 
6. The volumes of the memoirs to be exchanged for the Transac- 
tions of Seater ry and elena 3 societies, and copies to be given to all 
the colleges, and principal libraries, in this ¢ inte ‘One part of the 
remaining copies may be offered for sale ; and the other aapehalle pre- 
served, to form big sets of the work, to supply the demand from 
new institutions. 
7. An abstract, or popular account, of the contents of kas me- 
moirs to be given to the public through the annual report of the Regents 
to Congress. 
Il. By Pa alee a portion of the income, annually, “A en 
ts of research, under the direction of suitable perso 
ag objects and the amount appropriated, to be widlbintea by 
counsellor of the institution. 
2. App ropriations in different years to different objects; so that in 
Contains to Knowledge. 
mples of Seecis for which appropriations may be made 
( 1.) aye stems of extended meteorological observations for seid 
the problem of American storms. 
xplorations in descriptive natural history, and gorverctl, 
magnetical, and topographical surveys, to collect materials for 
formation of a Physic al Atlas of the United States. 
(3.) Solution of experimental problems, such as a new determina- 
tion of the weight of the earth, of the velocity of electricity, and o 
light ; chemical analyses of so ili and plants ; collection and publica- 
tion of articles of science, inceinabiaue in the offices of Government. 
