EEPORT OF THE SECRETARY. 17 



apparatus, but the expense of introducing this method is so great that 

 we would hesitate to advise its adoption at present. 



It may be proper again to mention the fact that the grounds on 

 which the Smithsonian building stands, are under the charge of the 

 Commissioner of Public Buildings, and that, though several thousand 

 dollars of the income of the Smithsonian fund were originally expended 

 for their improvement, the Institution has surrendered all control over 

 them. It is believed, however, that Congress will in due time make 

 a more liberal appropriation for the improvement of the public Mall, 

 of which the Smithsonian reservation, as it is sometimes called, forms 

 a part, and for carrying out the original design of the lamented 

 Downing, which connects in one common plan a succession of enclosed 

 parks, extending from the Capitol to the Potomac. 



The proposition to supply the public grounds with a complete series 

 of American trees has long been contemplated, but as no appropria- 

 tion has been made by Congress for this purpose, the Patent Office, 

 conjointly with this Institution, has taken the preliminary steps by 

 issuing a circular asking for seeds of every species of our forest trees 

 and shrubs that would be likely to thrive in this latitude. This 

 circular has been widely distributed, and it is hoped will meet with a 

 favorable response from all who are interested in making more gen- 

 erally known, and in introducing into more extensive cultivation, the 

 natural ornamental products of our own soil. The seeds are to be 

 sent by mail to the Commissioner of Patents, and placed in charge of 

 the officers having the care of the public grounds. 



It may be mentioned in this connexion that the original plan of 

 Captain Meigs for the supply of the city with water contemplates a 

 series of fountains to ornament the public reservations. To the same 

 valuable improvement we shall also owe the introduction, probably 

 during the present year, of a full supply of Potomac water into the 

 Smithsonian building. 



Publications. — The publications of the Institution may at present 

 be divided into three classes : 1st, the " Contributions to Knowledge," 

 in quarto form ; 2d, the annual report to Congress, printed at the 

 expense of government ; 3d, irregular series, such as the meteoro- 

 logical and physical tables, directions for observations, special reports, 

 &c, in octavo, to which has been given the name of "Smithsonian 

 Miscellaneous Collections." 



The tenth volume of the Contributions has been printed, and is 

 2 



