402 
NATURE 

[Sepz. 21, 1871 

however, was but for abrief period. A knowledge of the 
cordial welcome which American contributions to science 
had always met with at the hands of the principal 
scientists and learned bodies of Italy, was sufficient to 
convince the Institution that a cessation of intercourse 
would last but a short time, while it would terminate 
beneficially to both parties. The result was as predicted. 
Shortly after the stoppage of transmission, there was 
manifested by the scientific portion of the Italian people 
a strong desire that it should be resumed. Negotia- 
tions were soon begun, and after two years Italy acceded 
free entry to parcels bearing the familiar endorsement of 
the Institution. The decree guaranteeing this right may 
properly be said to mark an epoch in the history of the 
Smithsonian Institution, as well as in that of the advance 
of scientific education. The Institution has a printed 
catalogue of foreign correspondents, numbering nearly 
1,600 learned bodies, and, in addition, an extended 
manuscript list of individuals with whom it is in corre- 
spondence abroad, which embraces the names of the most 
eminent savans of the Old World. This shows that 
outside the United States, the policy of the Institution is 
everywhere highly endorsed ; while fresh evidence of the 
fact is continually being received from new organisations, 
having for their object the advancement of science, in the 
form of applications for enrolmentin the Smithsonian list 
of correspondents. 
With no desire for a knowledge of the terms of the 
bequest, and satisfied as to the correctness of their own 
opinion that Smithson’s gift was solely for the people of 
the United States, many Americans do not approve of 
extending the benefits of the said gift beyond the narrow 
limits of the land in which they themselves reside. In so 
enlightened an age, and with Smithson’s will easily acces- 
sible, the error of such an opinion is unpardonable. 
The mistake made by Congress, however, shortly after 
the bequest was accepted, is in a measure to be ex- 
cused. The trust was of a novel character, while 
the instrument conveying it to the care of the 
United States made known but briefly the design of 
the giver. The life and character of the testator ought 
to have been closely investigated in order to arrive at 
a proper appreciaion of the true spirit of the terms 
upon which the money was given and accepted. It would 
appear that without an investigation of this kind, or cer- 
tainly without a knowledge of Smithson’s intention, Con- 
gress directed the management of the interest from the 
fund, for a few years immediately subsequent to its accep- 
tance by the United States Government, in such manner 
as to divert the bequest for a long time almost entirely 
from its legitimate purpose. Several hundred thousand 
dollars yielded by a fund left for the “increase and diffu- 
sion of knowledge among men,” was sunk in “brick 
and mortar.” 
tion, not to speak of the large sums paid out for the 

Had the amount expended in the erec- | 
maintenance and repair, of the stupendous structure | 
known as the Smithsonian building, been added to | 
the principal of the original fund, the Institution would 
have been enabled to realise to a much fuller extent than 
has been done the anticipations of the generous foreigner 
whose name it perpetuates. 
of the fact at the time the fund was accepted, it is now 
universally admitted that for the “increase and diffusion 
While many were convinced | 
of knowledge,” brains and the printing press are the 
essential requisites, and that for the accommodation of 
these a building of moderate size and of small cost is all 
that is needed. The Smithsonian Institution, however, 
the especial object of which is that just set forth, con- 
tinues to occupy a structure which in point of dimensions 
is vastly more extensive than is needed for its operations. 
The cost of maintaining such an edifice is very great, 
while, owing to its peculiar style of architecture, contin- 
gent repairs are frequent as well as expensive. It is to be 
hoped that the building will, before long, become the 
property of the Government, and the purchase money be 
added to the present Smithson fund. This vast edifice is 
suitably adapted to the exhibition of a Museum on a 
scale worthy the capital of the nation. The nucleus of 
such an establishment is already cared for by the Institu- 
tion, but, although belonging to, is not maintained entirely 
at the expense of, the Government. The purchase in 
question of this building would be an acknowledgment of 
the intention of the United States to correct, as far as 
possible, the errors committed when the trust was 
accepted, and would prove an earnest to the people of 
other lands (for whom, equally with ourselves, the gift is 
designed) that the trustees of the munificent liberality of 
Smithson intended hereafter to carry out his wishes 
according to the letter and spirit of his will. 
The efforts of the distinguished head of the Institution 
so to conduct the establishment as that the greatest good 
may eventually result to the greatest number, are appre- 
ciated far and wide, while his untiring devotion t» the 
cause of education has rendered his name familiar to the 
most distant portions of mankind. 

PHYSIOLOGICAL RESEARCHES AT GRATZ 
Untersuchungen aus dem Institut fiir Physiologie und 
flistologie in Gratz, WHerausgegeben von Alexander 
Rollet. Zweites Heft. (Leipzig : Wilhelm Engelmann, 
1871. London: Williams and Norgate.) 
Le record of Histological and Physiological research 
in Styria contains a series of interesting and im- 
portant papers. 
The first of these is one by the editor on the classifica- 
tion of tissues. Nearly every author who has written on 
Histology generally has put forth some classification or 
other. Amongst these, that of Dr. Beale in Todd and 
Bowman’s “ Physiological Anatomy and Physiology ” (Ed. 
1866, p. 70) is cited as one of the worst and most illogical. 
It is a difficult question to determine what are and what 
are not elementary units of histological structures. Dr. 
Rollet founds his classification, as far as possible, on the 
data afforded by the history of the development of the 
tissues. Thus, endothelial structures are classed with 
connective tissue, and separated entirely from epithelial, 
as being developed in the pleuroperitoneal cavity of the 
embryo, The classification arrived at is as follows :— 
. Sencocytes. 
. Red blood corpuscles, 
. Elementary parts of connective tissue. 
. Elementary parts of fatty tissue. 
. Elementary parts of muscular tissue. 
. Elementary parts of nerve tissue. 
Elementary parts of epithelial tissue. 
MS DUBRwWDNH 
