THE SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION. 19 



separately stitched and distributed in a pamphlet form, or hound to- 

 gether in a single octavo volume. The following is the list of the 

 tables: 1. Comparison of the therrnometrical scales; 2. A series of 

 hygrometrical tables ; 3. Tables for comparing the quantities of rain ; 

 4. A series of tables for comparison of different barometrical scales, 

 &c. ; 5. Tables for computing differences of level by means of the 

 barometer ; 6. To ascertain elevations by the boiling-point of water ; 

 7. For the conversion of different measures of length. 



A full descriptive list will be found in the appendix. 



In connexion with the publication of these tables, I may allude to 

 the fact which is constantly to be regretted, that, while the charac- 

 ters which indicate the numerals of ordinary and scientific computa- 

 tion are the same in all civilized countries, there should exist, in this 

 age of the world, such a diversity in the standards and divisions of 

 measures. The present ajjpears to be an auspicious moment for at- 

 tempting to introduce a uniform system of weights and measures. 

 This would probably present no great difficulty in the case between 

 Great Britain and this country, and since England and France are 

 now allied in a common cause, they might both be induced to agree 

 upon a general standard ; and if this were adopted by all who speak 

 the English and French languages, it would soon become common to 

 every part of the civilized world. 



5. Another paper submitted for publication is on a special branch 

 of natural history, called Oology. The design of this memoir is to 

 give, by means of colored engravings, correct representations of the 

 eggs of the birds of North America, so far as they have been ascer- 

 tained, and to accompany each figure with an account of whatever 

 may be known as to the mode of breeding, the construction of the 

 nests, and the geographical distribution of the species during the 

 hatching season. It is believed that this paper will supply a defi- 

 ciency in the natural history of North America. There is no separate 

 treatise on its oology, nor do any of the works on American ornitho- 

 logy furnish reliable descriptions under this head, except in regard 

 to a few of the more common birds. All our ornithologists, says the 

 author, Audubon not excepted, have given their attention almost ex- 

 clusively to the birds, and have omitted to notice the peculiarities of 

 their propagation. The reason for this may readily be found in the 

 difficulty attending the investigation, which is to be appreciated only 

 by those who have sought to make a study of this branch,, of natural 

 history. The author has devoted to this subject all the leisure he 

 could spare during twenty years, and each year he has been able to 

 add new contributions to the stock of knowledge, as well as illustra- 

 tions and specimens to the common store, until he is now enabled to 

 describe and figure at least four-fifths of the oology of this continent. 



In the commencement of the operations of the Institution, the Re- 

 gents might have hesitated to sanction the publication of a paper on 

 a subject which at first sight would appear to be so far removed from 

 practical application. But it is believed that since that period, more 

 just views of the importance of such subjects have become prevalent, 

 and that the Smithsonian publications themselves have done good 

 service in diffusing more liberal sentiments. Indeed, it is an import- 



