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chiefly by the words and specific recommendations of the charter. They 

 are of opinion, however, that the task assigned them would be ill per- 

 formed if they stopped short here, and neglected to avail themselves of 

 the authority — liberally and wisely, your committee think — conferred upon 

 the board, after providing for the above special objects to such extent as 

 they may consider necessary and proper, to dispose of the remaining funds 

 annually accruing in such manner as " they shall deem best suited for 

 the promotion of the purpose of the testator." 



" Increase and diffusion of knowledge," your committee beg leave to 

 report, was that purpose. 



How can knowledge be increased? 



By original research throughout its various fields ; yielding, when suc- 

 cessfully prosecuted, positive additions to the sum of what had heretofore 

 been known. 



For this there is no provision in the items specifically enumerated in 

 the bill, and above provided for, except it may be in the chemical depart- 

 ment, where the chemist or others engaging in experiment and investi- 

 gation may furnish actual contributions to the science of chemistry. 

 • But how may original researches generally be encouraged and called 

 forth ? 



First, by premiums, your committee think, annually offered for origi- 

 nal papers on such subjects as may be selected; it being a strict condi- 

 tion that each paper accepted and obtaining a premium shall contain a 

 specific addition to the sum of human knowledge, resting upon original 

 investigations, and not mere unverified hypotheses. The accepted paper 

 may be publisfied in the successive numbers of Transactions, which may 

 be entitled " Smithsonian Contributions to Knowledge," and whioh your 

 committee recommend to be issued periodically or occasionally, as mate- 

 rials present themselves. The names of the competitors for premiums 

 should in all cases remain unknown until the award is made. 



A liberal price might also be paid for other papers that may be con- 

 sidered worthy of a place in the Transactions. 



'Again: as an additional means of promoting increase of knowledge, 

 special appropriations may occasionally be made to institute definite lines 

 of research, under the direction of competent persons ; after the manner, 

 perhaps, of the British Association. Such appropriations^ however, your 

 committee think should be made with great care, for important objects 

 only, and where there is fair promise of speedy result ; and it might be 

 advisable, as an additional guarantee, that in deciding the kind of research 

 and the amount of money lo be appropriated the board avail itself of the 

 suggestions of a council of scientific men. 



In the prosecution of researches undertaken at the instance of the insti- 

 tution, and requiring the aid of valuable apparatus, the use of that be- 

 longing to the institution might, under proper regulations, be granted. 



This stimulating and cherishing of research in unexplored fields seems 

 to your committee the more necessary and proper in a country like ours^ 

 where but few have at command that easy leisure common in older 

 countries, and there permitting the prosecution of researches throughout 

 years, or a lifetime, without expectation or necessity of pecuniary return. 

 Your committee are aware that the researches here recommended, no 

 matter how intrinsically important — demanded as they are, too, by the 

 wording of the bequest which endowed our institution — will be likely, in 



