The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1850-01-20
WAsHISGros, January IL, 1850.

WAsHISGIos, January IL, 1850.
Synopsis @ the Report Of The Secretary Of the Smithsonian
Institution.
The Institution, during the past year has been gra-
duslly extending it's sphere ussfqlpsss and success
evey bringing into operation the different parts
plan Of organization. The various parts OF this plan
were adopted Professionally, and 1t Is gratifying be
able to state that experience thus far has indicated
important changes to be necessary.
The Institution contemplates with the funds
at Its disposal the following Objects
L. The publication Of original works, consisting Of
positive additions TO knowlssge.
z. The Institution Of original researches.
The publications of reports the progress OF know
ledge.
Formation Of library, museum, collection Of ap-
IsIatus, ana gallery Of art
The delivery OF public lectures In the city Of WASH
The greater portion Of the income Is at present de-
voted to the erection of the building and that to be
applied 70 the active operations Of the Institution Is
comparatively small.
The first volume OF contributions has been before the
world for upwards Of year has been distributed
to learned societies In all parts OF the world to prnc
pal libraries college, and other institutions In our
country The volume has bsea received with much
appreciation and all the learned societies Of Europe 90
lar ~ they have been heard from, have sgnhed their
intention Of exchanging with the Institution
To enable individual supply themselves with these
TO be Geld at iow price barely sufficient; to repay the
cost Of paper aud press work rhe copies of the
thors.
The feeOEd volume Of contributions is new In the
press 10 comprises memoirs q variety subjects,
tuehss Astronomy BY Prot Walker; Fhysic Geogra-
ply, by Mr. klet Violate Electrity by Prof Secchi
chtmis,Iy BY Or Hare Geology, by Dr. dibbssi Ma
tuia History by Ir,f Agsssiz ON the Ancient Monu.
mens 81 the Aborgines II this country by Mr. sluer
With other memoirs q great Interest.
The Institution has assisted Lieut. Gillis In procur
Ing instruments TO be used In his expedition 10 Chill
has caussd to be computed. published, and distri-
artrOnOmtra. Ied
during The year 1850 for the Of scienne exploring
parties and others-lss supplied maxue.c instru-
nsLts TO the Mexican boundary sursey-has In pre-
Tason sircear Go be ssu.d 10 epg nsers and other
suitabe PERSONS requesting them a. trsnsmit TO the
Institution statistics q rail and canal porstions
measurement Of heights. geological sections, Sc has
tept letters TO different individuals 60 the various his
totical soeieties sskug them c. assist In collecting
Information ON the ancient of North Ame-
rioa has assisted pluiers In N-~ Mexico Csor.
mia In c.lsciing natural history aud botany, by sub
rcibng tor the specimens brought home by them and
In purchasing coiectiops made IN other parts Of the
ltitea states ana bs. sstabshsd an extended system
81 m-teofologca obervations reaching from the At
lante to the Pacific, conprehendpg $50 station,
from which return. regularly received, aud which
by tbs AID 81 the States of New orS Massachusetts, aud
IepLsy ltanis with observAtious made at the military
pett sna naval sstions wili probably e'mptise SOo
for cfcss 81 the telegraph lines. from which returns
ono. day are TO be tsRsntied to the Institution and
aid ts Observers O. supply themselves with in
strumsnts. by having large number constructed Ia q
very 'uIsIior manner and selling them at sbsui half
eost
bIreRis rHr rHosHrs, or scnvcs.
The hrst part Of report on forest trees Of Amercs
will H. puhsh,d In few months illustrated BY orix
nal drawings from nsturp, Invested OF t.chnicsi-
tss ana 90 far adapted to popular a. we'll scientific
use u Will contain all the discoveries and much
original matter IL IL BY Professor A. Gray, Of Cam
report ON instruments, th.ir nae ana
construction by Professor Guyot ready foe the press
IL will be sent grstuitously 60 all the meteorological
observers q the is,titu,ios.
A report recent discoveries in astronomy BIZ DR.
D. could Of Cambridge Ms', Is ready for the press
report on agricultural chemistry, by Dr. Ls-.c
Beck, q New jersey.
AZ far the appropriations for the year would Ser
nit Professor Jenret has been actively engaged in col
lectpg, arranging and cstsloguing the books In the
library catalogue Of ell the books in the principal
libraries of the nied states IL in progress veil ~
Of the libraries OF Congress the depsr ments Sc, In
Washington City. Much Information has also been
cnmoA relative TO the libraries In the nited States
the humber Of the state of their catalogues
the general rules for their government, hos sustain
Cd Sc, &c.
MvsrrN
1ne portion ot The building devoted to this depart |
meht " Jet uhunhhed aud but little advancement has
been made IL Is the desgu 81 IN. titution 20 pro
cure tpecial COLLECTIONS series of objects to
elucidste particular subjc, Of inquiry, being pr.
fersbls to smsssing ai
oensneous articles q mere curiosity
srrsHsrUs.
Collections In this department are 10 b. .rr.nvsa ..
q of physical instruments to exhibit IN. nc
gree In this ss q workmsnshp and TO farp,sh
models worAm.n country, fof their con.,rne
tion I he muuidcent donation of Or Hare hs. b-sp
received and s parity sr.Used comprising the sppss
tus collected and used BY nim tor the illustration o. tn.
Lectures the chemical de yartnent q tbs University
Of P.npsylysnis suite Of Instruments for the ius
siion az the laws Of light heat sod sound have been
received from Europe AID very fine sct a apparatus
Scr pt.unsiiesl experiment. has been fornished TO
order, BostOn descriptive catalogue % all the
cosctcBs Of this ebsrsst.r viii be Issued for the
az visit,r. Hisprcposed hereafter shen the banding
is plstd PEI prttous ~ the apparatus - b.
by persons mskrg original researches In paysics
ct ntry vhc sbd ssfai In their use
ssries - lctDfes al be delivered In the smith
forisB building crmmeuyirF the 10Th 81 Janusry.
and - etutiBUsd intervals doritg toe sessDn -
Loo isctur- IN the east wing has been
tsu,L s1lsIssa, sud rendered suitable IN