312 REID— SEISMOLOGICAL NOTES. [April 24, 



it, and of finding the answer to the question whether earthquakes 

 produce changes in the -earth's magnetism. 



In looking over the history of the various scientific bureaus of 

 the government, we see that they were, in general, started by the 

 Smithsonian Institution, and after their work had been thoroughly 

 marked out and justified, they became independent. It seems not 

 only conservative, but most practical, to follow this precedent in 

 the establishment of a seismological bureau ; for the Smithsonian is 

 excellently adapted for prosecuting earthquake studies, and it could 

 probably secure the hearty cooperation of all the other departments 

 of the government more easily than could any single one of these 

 departments. 



