Ancient Monuments of the Mississippi Valley by E. G. Squier and E. H. Davis
4. Examples of objects for which appropriations may be made:
(1.) System of extended meteorological observations for solving the
problem of American storms.
(2.) Explorations in descriptive natural history, and geological,
magnetical, and topographical surveys, to collect materials for the
formation of a Physical Atlas of the United States.
(3.) Solution of experimental problems, such as a new determination
of the weight of the earth, of the velocity of electricity, and
of light; chemical analyses of soils and plants; collection and
publication of articles of science, accumulated in the offices of
Government.
(4.) Institution of statistical inquiries with reference to physical,
moral, and political subjects.
(5.) Historical researches, and accurate surveys of places celebrated
in American history.
(6.) Ethnological researches, particularly with reference to the
different races of men in North America; also explorations, and
accurate surveys, of the mounds and other remains of the ancient
people of our country.
I. TO DIFFUSE KNOWLEDGE.—«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 not
strictly professional.»