176 EIGHTH ANNUAL REPORT OF 



Building. 



"&' 



The east wing of the building was taken possession of by the Secre- 

 tary in April last, and has since been constantly occupied. The west 

 wing is now finished, and it is contemplated to occupy it temporarily 

 as a library until the portion of the main building intended for this pur- 

 pose is completed. 



The plan of the Smithsonian building was designed by the architect, 

 and recommended to the Board by a committee of the Regents, before 

 the programme of organization was adopted. It is not strange, there- 

 fore, when the building came to be occupied, that changes in the inter- 

 nal arrangement should be deemed advisable which would better adapt 

 it to the wants of the Institution. Such changes, at my suggestion, 

 have been made ; and for the propriety of these I. am responsible. 

 They are principally, however, those of simplification, and in them- 

 selves add nothing to the cost of the edifice. An increased expense, 

 however, will arise out of the furnishing of new rooms, which have been 

 acquired by the alterations. 



All of which is respectfully submitted. 



JOSEPH HENRY, 

 Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution. 



