30 NINTH ANNUAL REPORT OP 



21st. On some of the properties of gold, silver, mercury, and lead, 

 with the manner of their occurrence in nature. 



22d. On the properties of copper and iron, with the manner of their 

 occurrence in nature ; on meteoric iron and meteorites. 



From the foregoing account of the transactions of the past year, it 

 must be evident to every intelligent and unprejudiced person that the 

 Institution has perseveringly continued its course of usefulness, and 

 that, although some of its operations are not of a character to attract 

 public attention or elicit popular applause, yet they are eminently pro- 

 ductive of the benevolent results intended by the bestower of the 

 bequest. From the report of the Executive Committee, it will be seen 

 that the funds are still in a good condition ; although, on account oi un- 

 foreseen difficulties in the completion of the building, and of the unex- 

 pected rise in the price of labor and material, a larger draft has been 

 made upon the extra fund than was intended. This can be made up, 

 however, if thought necessary, in the course of a few years, by means 

 of the interest which will accrue from the same fund. 



It is evident that the collections of books and specimens have in- 

 creased as rapidly as is consistent with the best interests of the Institu- 

 tion. Every addition to these collections increases the cost of atten- 

 dance and supervision, and therefore must, with a fixed income, tend 

 to diminish the power of acquisition ; and when' it is recollected that 

 the Institution is, theoretically at least, to be perpetual, it will be evi- 

 dent that we should be more solicitous in regard to the quality of articles 

 than to their number or quantity. Though these views may not com- 

 mend themselves to all, I believe they will be found to meet the ap- 

 proval of a large majority of the intelligent community. 



In order to preserve the continuity of the history of the Institution in 

 the annual reports of the secretary, it is necessary to allude to the 

 fact that during the past year internal difficulties and changes have 

 occurred which have given rise to a series of attacks on the policy 

 and management of the Institution ; but however painful occurrences 

 of this kind may be to those immediately concerned, yet they seem 

 almost inevitable in the first organization of an establishment where 

 precedence is wanting, and where experience furnishes no instruction. 

 They had their origin in the want of a definite recognition of the re- 

 sponsibilities and consequently of the powers of the secretary. 



It is evident there can be no efficient action in an Institution of this 

 character without entire harmony of views and unity of purpose, and 

 these can only be secured by one executive head. The Regents have 

 settled this principle, and thus removed all cause of future difficulty of 

 a similar character. 



JOSEPH HENRY, 

 Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution. 



January, 1855. 



