suo Scientific News. [July, 
SCIENTIFIC NEWS. 
— Professor Henry took the opportunity at the last meeting of the 
National Academy of Sciences, to say a few words about the Smithsonian 
Institution. Its fund at present, having been increased by donations and 
judicious management, amounts to $717,000, although $600,000 has been 
expended on the building, and the original legacy produced only $541,- 
000. Congress has enacted several liberal measures which have been of 
great service to the Institution and have relieved it of many expenses, 
such as the cost of caring for the grounds and library; and latterly an 
appropriation of $20,000 per year has cleared the expense of the Na- 
tional Museum. This liberality has enabled the Smithsonian to devote a 
larger share of its income toward publishing works of original research, 
and to defray the expense of its system of scientific exchanges, which has 
the whole world for its field. The publications already issued and under 
way were enumerated. Professor Henry said that it was contemplated 
to authorize a series of experiments to determine accurately the rate of 
increase of the earth’s temperature at progressive depths. This was now 
rendered more practicable than before by the number of artesian wells in 
the country. Another project included new and careful experiments on 
the velocity of light; that furnishing one of the means for ascertaining 
the distance of the sun. Some steps had been taken to carry out this 
project, and a gentleman had promised to give a special fund for the pur- 
pose. The work of obtaining accurately the weight of the earth by the 
method devised by Cavendish would also probably be undertaken anew, 
there being at the present day better means for this purpose than those 
of the old experiments. Professor Henry alluded to his own advancing 
years and his anxiety to have the Smithsonian in a position of perma- 
nent security before the close of his life. The accumulations of the mu- 
seum already overstock the building, and when the collections that have 
been sent to Philadelphia are returned, there will be no room for them. 
Conversing on the subject with a prominent member of Congress, he had 
recently stated his firm conviction that the problem could best be solved 
by abandoning the present building to the National Museum and erect- 
ing a new structure, to cost $100,000. The new building could ws 
adapted solely to the needs of the Smithsonian in its proper work, and 
should contain besides accommodations for the system of exchange is 
chemical, a physical, and a biological laboratory with a lecture-room. —~ 
N. Y. Tribune. 
— The Exeter Natural History Society was organized December t 
1874, with the following board of officers, who still hold their positions 
President, Rev. Benjamin F. McDaniel; Vice-Presidents, A. C. m 
kins, Miss H. E. Paine; Secretary, William H. Gorham, M. D. ; Treas- 
urer, Charles Burley. It has a membership of between forty and fifty 
and has a museum and a library, still small, but rapidly growing- Moet- 
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