THE SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION. Ii3 



" (4.) Institution of statistical inquiries, with reference to physical, 

 moral, and political subjects. 



" (5.) Historical researches and accurate surveys of places celebra- 

 ted in history. 



" (6.) Ethnological researches, particularly with reference to the 

 present races of men in North America ; also, explorations and accu- 

 rate surveys of the mounds and other remains of the ancient people of 

 our country." 



The committee have made this long extract from Professor Henry's 

 programme in order to give to the Academy an adequate idea of the 

 proposed plan, as far as it refers to the first branch, or the increase of 

 knowledge. It has, in some of its features, been already adopted. It 

 is already announced that one voluminous memoir, copiously illustrated 

 by engravings, is already on its passage through the press, under the 

 auspices of the Smithsonian Institution. The committee refer to an 

 elaborate memoir, by Messrs. Squier and Davis, on the aboriginal 

 mounds discovered in large numbers in various parts of the United 

 States, and especially in the region northwest of the Ohio. This me- 

 moir was accepted on the favorable report of the Ethnological Society 

 of New York, to which it had been referred by the Secretary of the 

 Institution, and in whose Transactions an abridgment of it has ap- 

 peared. It is also understood that a memoir on one of the most inter- 

 esting subjects which engages the attention pf geometers and mathe- 

 maticians at the present moment, viz : the planet Neptune, has been 

 invited by the Secretary from one of our own members. 



While the committee would deprecate all attempts unduly to stimu- 

 late the increase of knowledge as sure to prove abortive, and to result 

 at best in the publication of crude investigations, they believe it quite 

 possible to remove some of the obstructions to its progress. Narrow 

 circumstances are too apt to be the lot of genius when devoted to sci- 

 entific pursuits ; and the necessity of providing for personal and domestic 

 wants too often absorbs the time and faculties of those who might, if 

 relieved from cares of this kind, have adorned their age and benefited 

 mankind. To such men a moderate pecuniary advantage derived from 

 a successful investigation, might be of vast importance. The efficacy 

 of market upon production is not limited to the creations of physical 

 labor. It is seen in the history of science and literature of every age 

 and country. Invention in the mechanical arts and skill in practical 

 science are well paid in this country, and how great is the harvest ! 

 The extraordinary effect even of an honorary inducement is seen in the 

 case of the medal offered by the King of Denmark for the discovery of 

 Telescopic Comets. On these principles it may be hoped that by 

 offering a moderate pecuniary compensation for researches of real merit, 

 valuable contribution's to knowledge will be produced ; while their 

 publication will tend directly to the diffusion of knowledge. 



An encouragement somewhat similar towards the promotion of the 

 increase of knowledge would be afforded by another part of the pro- 

 posed operations — that of providing the requisite apparatus and imple- 

 ments, and especially books, to be placed in the hands of those engaged 

 in particular lines of investigation. In this way it is not unlikely that 

 a considerable amount of talent may be rendered effective, which at 



