EEPOET OP THE SECRETARY. 6 



(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 the Government. 



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

 political subjects. 



(5) Historical researches, and accurate surveys 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. 



It has been the aim of the Institution throughout its history to 

 accomplish as much as practicable in all the fields of research above 

 enumerated, and the secretaries of the Smithsonian have in their 

 turn been chosen by the regents with that end in view. The first 

 secretary, Professor Henry, was a physicist, and researches during 

 his administration were largely in the domain of physics. 



The present United States Weather Bureau is an outgrowth of 

 the system of meteorological observations and warnings established 

 by the Smithsonian Institution. In 1847 an appropriation was 

 ' made " for instruments and other expenses connected with meteoro- 

 logical observations." The instruments thus secured were dis- 

 tributed throughout the country, and within two years the volunteer 

 observers reporting to the Institution numbered about 400. In 1849 

 Henry realized the value of the electric telegraph as " a ready means 

 of warning the more northern and southern observers to be on the 

 watch for the first appearance of an advancing storm," and there was 

 inaugurated a system of daily telegraphic weather reports, a system 

 which was continued under the direction of the Institution until the 

 beginning of the Civil War. On a large map in the Smithsonian 

 building the weather over a considerable part of the country, accord- 

 ing to reports received at 10 o'clock each day, was indicated by 

 suitable symbols. 



Under the second secretary. Professor Baird, biological science 

 was one of the principal fields of research. It was during his admin- 

 istration that there was organized the United States Fish Commis- 

 sion for the study of the food fisheries of the United States, and 

 Prof. Baird served as head of that commission until his death. 

 The organization later became the United States Bureau of Fish- 

 eries of the Department of Commerce. Prof. Baird took a deep inter- 

 est in the National Museum, and under his direction there was 

 erected a building for the exhibition of the valuable collections ac- 

 quired from the International Exhibition at Philadelphia in 1876. 



Professor Langley, the third secretary, was both an astronomer and 

 a physicist. But to his deep devotion to those professions may be 

 added a broad view of the entire field of human knowledge. It was 



