ADVERTISEMENT. 



This volume forms the thirty-second of a series, composed of original memoirs 

 on different branches of knowledge, published at the expense and under the 

 direction of the Smithsonian Institution. The publication of this series forms 

 part of a general plan adopted for carrying into effect the benevolent intentions 

 of James Smithson, Esq., of England. This gentleman left his property in 

 trust to the United States of America to found at Washington an institution 

 which should bear his own name and have for its objects the "increase and 

 diffusion of knowledge among men." This trust was accepted by the Govern- 

 nment of the United States, and acts of Congress were passed August 10, 1846, 

 and March 12, 1894, constituting the President, the Vice-President, the Chief 

 Justice of the United States Supreme Court, and the heads of Executive 

 Departments an establishment under the name of the "Smithsonian Institution, 



FOR THE INCREASE AND DIFFUSION OF KNOWLEDGE AMONG MEN." The members of 



this establishment are to hold stated and special meetings for the supervision of 

 the affairs of the Institution and for the advice and instruction of a Board of 

 Regents to whom the financial and other affairs are intrusted. 



The Board of Regents consists of two members ex officio of the establish- 

 ment, namely, the Vice-President of the United States and the Chief Justice 

 of the Supreme Court, together with twelve other members, three of whom are 

 appointed from the Senate from its own body, three from the House of Repre- 

 sentatives from its members, and six persons appointed by a joint resolution of 

 both Houses. To this Board is given the power of electing a Secretary and 

 other officers for conducting the active operations of the Institution. 



To cany into effect the purposes of the testator, the plan of organization 

 should evidently embrace two objects: one, the increase of knowledge by 

 the addition of new truths to the existing stock; the other, the diffusion of 

 knowledge, thus increased, among men. No restriction is made in favor of any 

 kind of knowledge, and hence each branch is entitled to and should receive 

 a share of attention. 



The act of Congress establishing the Institution directs, as a part of the plan 

 of organization, the formation of a library, a museum, and a gallery of art, 

 together with provisions for physical research and popular lectures, while it 

 leaves to the Regents the power of adopting such other parts of an organization 

 as they may deem best suited to promote the objects of the bequest. 



