Annual Report of the Board of Regents of the Smithsonian InstitutionSmithsonian Institution, 1865 - Discoveries in science |
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2d series Academy action American animals antozone apparatus appear atmosphere axis of revolution birds Californians caoutchouc carbonic acid catenoid cause centimetres charge collections combustion commenced configurative forces consequently constriction continuous contracted section cretaceous cubic centimetres curve cylinder Delambre determined diameter dilatations direction disk distance divisions earth eclipse equal equilibrium experiment figure furnished Gesellschaft grammes greater gun-cotton gutta-percha Hadrosaurus hydrogen increase Indians influence instrument l'eclipse latter length less liquid litres mass memoir meridian line metal meteorological metre millimetres Mosasaurus movement museum nodes observations obtained orifice oxide oxygen ozone pass perpendicular phenomena plants portion present produced Prof proportion protuberances quantity radius of curvature rays remarkable revolving mirror rings Savart Smithsonian Institution Society solar solar eclipse Sonnenfinsterniss sound species specimens surface temperature tion unduloid vegetable velocity of light Verein vertical vibrations volume wood
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Page 146 - ... When the year was completed, I began to examine and compare my observations, and having pretty well satisfied myself as to the general laws of the phaenomena, I then endeavoured to find out the cause of them. I was already convinced that the apparent motion of the stars was not owing to a nutation of the earth's axis. The next thing that offered itself was an alteration in the direction of the plumb-line, with which the instrument was constantly rectified; but this upon trial proved insufficient...
Page 8 - To increase knowledge : It is proposed — 1. To stimulate men of talent to make original researches by offering suitable rewards for memoirs containing new truths; and, 2. To appropriate annually a portion of the income for particular researches, under the direction of suitable persons.
Page 7 - These two objects should not be confounded with one another. The first is to enlarge the existing stock of knowledge by the addition of new truths; and the second, to disseminate knowledge, thus increased, among men.
Page 10 - The emphasis upon publications as a means of diffusing knowledge was expressed by the first Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution. In his formal plan for the Institution, Joseph Henry articulated a program that included the following statement: "It is proposed to publish a series of reports, giving an account of the new discoveries in science, and of the changes made from year to year in all branches of knowledge.
Page 9 - ... all unverified speculations to be rejected. 4. Each memoir presented to the Institution to be submitted for examination to a commission of persons of reputation for learning in the branch to which the memoir pertains ; and to be accepted for publication only in case the report of this commission is favorable. 5. The commission to be chosen by the officers of the Institution, and the name of the author, as far as practicable, concealed, unless a favorable decision is made.
Page 390 - The different tribes represented by no means communities of rational beings, who submit to laws and regulations and obey their superiors, but resembled far more herds of wild swine, which run about according to their own liking, being together to-day and scattered to-morrow, till they meet again by accident at some future time. In one word, the Californians lived, salva venia, as though they had been freethinkers and materialists...
Page 119 - Bhees, the chief clerk ; also, about one hundred volumes of valuable works kept at hand for constant reference. 2. In the apparatus room, the large collection of scientific instruments, including the donation of the late Dr. Hare. 3. A part of the contents of the Regents' room, including the personal effects of Smithson, with the exception of his portrait and library.
Page 7 - The first is to enlarge the existing stock of knowledge by the addition of new truths ; and the second, to disseminate knowledge, thus increased, among men. 6. The will makes no restriction in favor of any particular kind of knowledge ; hence all branches are entitled to a share of attention. 7. Knowledge can be increased by different methods of facilitating and promoting the discovery of new truths; and can be most extensively diffused among men by means of the press.
Page 146 - For I perceived that, if Light was propagated in Time, the apparent Place of a fixed Object would not be the same when ' the Eye is at Rest, as when it is moving in any other Direction, than that of the Line passing through the Eye and the Object ; and that, when the Eye is moving in different Directions, the apparent Place of the Object would be different.
Page 7 - to found at Washington, under the name of the SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION, an establishment for the increase and diffusion of knowledge among men." 2. The bequest is for the benefit of mankind. The government of the United States is merely a trustee to carry out the design of the testator.