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$12,000 a year, which is placed under the direction of the Smithsonian Institution for the specific purpose of carrying on scientific studies, particularly of American mammals and other animals, the donor specifying Dr. C. Hart Merriam as the investigator to carry on the work during his lifetime.

BIOLOGICAL SURVEY OF THE PANAMA CANAL ZONE.

The Institution has had in contemplation for some time several important scientific explorations, and it is gratifying to state that it now seems possible that one of them-an exhaustive biological survey of the Panama Canal Zone-will be undertaken in the winter of 1910-11. Definite plans for this survey have not been decided upon at present, but these are now under consideration and it is hoped that all the arrangements may be completed and the work put in hand in a few months.

It is particularly important to science that a biological survey of the Canal Zone be made at this time, as it appears without question that it would yield important scientific results, both as regards additions to knowledge and to the collections of the United States National Museum and other museums. While the Isthmus is not so well endowed with large forms as the great continental areas, such as Africa, southern Asia, and some other regions, yet its fauna and flora are rich and diversified. The collecting which has been carried on there has been on such a rather limited scale, and chiefly along trade routes, that an extensive and thorough survey would surely produce new scientific information of great value.

A part of the fresh-water streams of the Isthmus of Panama empty into the Atlantic Ocean and others into the Pacific Ocean. It is known that a certain number of animals and plants in the streams on the Atlantic side are different from those of the Pacific side, but as no exact biological survey has ever been undertaken the extent and magnitude of these differences have yet to be learned. It is also of the utmost scientific importance to determine exactly the geographical distribution of the various organisms inhabiting those waters, as the Isthmus is one of the routes by which the animals and plants of South America have entered North America and vice versa. When the canal is completed the organisms of the various watersheds will be offered a ready means of mingling together, the natural distinctions now existing will be obliterated, and the data for a true understanding of the fauna and flora placed forever out of reach.

By the construction of the Gatun dam a vast fresh-water lake will be created, which will drive away or drown the majority of the animals and plants now inhabiting the locality, and quite possibly exterminate some species before they become known to science.

The National Museum at present has practically no Panama mammals. The birds now in the collection are chiefly from along the line of the railroad and from Chiriqui. It has comparatively few reptiles. The fresh-water fishes are poorly represented in the collections and are of special importance for comparison with South American forms. Land and fresh-water mollusks are much needed. The National Herbarium is poorly supplied with Panama plants; in fact, they are at present practically "a negligible quantity," and the American herbariums taken together do not contain a sufficient amount of material to form the basis of a general flora of Panama, which is a work much needed.

ANTIQUITY OF MAN IN SOUTH AMERICA.

In March, 1910, the Institution directed Dr. Aleš Hrdlička, Curator of the Division of Physical Anthropology, United States National Museum, to proceed to South America and Panama Canal Zone for the purpose of making anthropological researches, and particularly to undertake investigation into the question of man's antiquity in Argentina. A grant was also made to enable Mr. Bailey Willis, of the United States Geological Survey, proceeding on his way to South America in the interest of the world's topographical map, to cooperate with Doctor Hrdlička in his researches in Argentina, for it was appreciated that the problems to be met with were to an important degree of a geological nature.

The undertaking of the investigation was especially due to Mr. W. H. Holmes, Chief of the Bureau of American Ethnology, whose observations during a visit to Argentina in 1908 made apparent the far-reaching importance of the data being collected bearing on human antiquity in South America.

The subject of man's antiquity in South America dates from the meager reports concerning the scattered remains in the Lagoa Santa caves in Brazil, the casual Seguin finds in the province of Santa Fe, Argentina, and the Moreno collection of old Patagonian material in the valley of Rio Negro, and it has assumed a special importance during the last decade through a relatively large number of reports. by Argentinian scientists, but particularly by Prof. F. Ameghino, of new finds of the remains of ancient man and of traces of his activities. Some of these more recent finds were so interpreted that, if corroborated, they would have a most important bearing not merely on man's early presence in the South American Continent, but on the evolution and the spread of mankind in general.

Under these conditions, and in view of the fact that some of the reports were not fully satisfactory as to their anatomical or geological details, it was deemed necssary to send down competent men who might subject the whole matter to critical revision.

It is gratifying to state that on arriving at Argentina and explaining their mission the Smithsonian representatives were afforded by the Argentinian Government, as well as by the Argentinian men of science, all facilities needed for the examination of the specimens preserved in various institutions, as well as for the prosecution of their field work. Professor Ameghino and his brother, Carlos, gave particular aid, accompanying Doctor Hrdlička and Mr. Willis personally for over three weeks along the coast from place to place where the supposedly ancient remains were discovered.

The researches occupied nearly two months. Every specimen relating to ancient man that could still be found was examined, and every locality of importance where the finds were made was visited and investigated. The evidence gathered, unfortunately, does not sustain a large part of the claims that have been made. The human bones and the archeological specimens which should represent geologically ancient man agree in all important characteristics with the bones and work of the American Indian; and the finds, while often in close relation with early Quaternary or Tertiary deposits, bear, so far as observed, only intrusive relations to these deposits. Furthermore, there are specimens the original sources of which are not so well established that scientific deductions of great consequence can be safely drawn therefrom, even though they present some morphological peculiarities.

The expedition secured numerous geological, paleontological, and anthropological specimens, some of which throw much light on the question of the antiquity of the finds to which they relate. These specimens are being identified and described in the National Museum. Doctor Hrdlička and Mr. Willis will present in due time a detailed report on their investigations.

Following the researches in Argentina, Doctor Hrdlička visited several of the anthropologically important localities on the coast of Peru and made large collections of skeletal material, which will help to settle definitely the racial problems of these regions, and will have an important bearing on the anthropology of the western part of South America.

Further explorations and collections, necessarily limited, were made by Doctor Hrdlička in Panama and Mexico. In the latter country the principal results of the visit were the opening, at the invitation of the Mexican authorities, of a highly interesting sepulcher in the ancient ruins of San Juan Teotihuacan, and the making of a series of casts from the remaining pure bloods among the Aztec descendants in Xochimilco.

The Argentina, as well as the Peruvian and Mexican, collections have been transferred to the U. S. National Museum.

RESEARCHES UNDER HODGKINS FUND.

Flying organs of insects and birds.-Under the direction of Professor von Lendenfeld, of Prague University, aided by a grant from the Hodgkins Fund, there has been carried on for the past ten years investigations on the flying organs of various insects and birds. Some of the results of these studies have been published in the Smithsonian Miscellaneous Collections in papers by Dr. E. Mascha on "The structure of wing feathers," Dr. Leo Walter on "The clasping organs attaching the hind to the fore wings in hymenoptera,” and Dr. Bruno Müller on "The air sacs of the pigeons."

There was received during the past year and prepared for press a fourth paper on "The flying apparatus of the blow-fly."

These investigations were fostered by the late Secretary Langley with the hope that they would yield information useful to engineers and others interested in the problem of flight. It was the opinion of the investigator that of all the forms of insects, and indeed of all flying animals, the Diptera, such as the blow-fly, furnish the most promising pattern for a flying machine and that a working model should be built according to this pattern and experimented with.

Mount Whitney Observatory.-The construction on Mount Whitney, California, of a small steel and stone house to serve as a shelter for observers and investigators during the prosecution of researches on atmospheric air and other cognate subjects was authorized October 30, 1908, by an allotment from the Hodgkins Fund.

This spot had been selected as an observation point by the late Secretary Langley as far back as 1881, and had been visited later by other scientific investigators, including Professor Campbell, of the Lick Observatory, and Director Abbot, of the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory, each of whom realized the unusual advantages offered by this mountain as a site for a meteorological and atmospheric observatory.

Before erecting the shelter it was necessary to build a trail to the top of the peak, 14,502 feet above sea level, in order to transport the building material, supplies, and instruments. Many dangers and hardships were undergone by the men who accomplished this work, but finally the trail was completed and the equipment packed up the mountain."

The actual work of construction of the shelter was begun July 28, 1909, when the first pack train reached the summit, and was quite completed by August 27, 1909, when summer observations were begun by Director Abbot, of the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observ

a A more detailed account of the work, "A shelter for observers on Mount Whitney," by C. G. Abbot, was published January 12, 1910, in the Smithsonian Miscellaneous Collections, vol. 52, pp. 499–506.

atory, and Director Campbell, of the Lick Observatory, who was engaged in a study of the spectrum of Mars.

The erection of the shelter has already proved a most beneficial undertaking, and it will undoubtedly serve for many years as such for observation parties not only of the Smithsonian Institution but of other institutions desiring to benefit by the conditions and advantages offered to scientists by this exceptional location. Applications for permission to use this shelter by scientific research parties should be made to the Secretary.

Relation of atmospheric air to tuberculosis.-In February, 1908, the Institution offered a prize of $1,500 for the best treatise on "The relation of atmospheric air to tuberculosis," to be awarded in connection with the International Congress on Tuberculosis held in Washington in September of that year, but owing to the great work of translating, reading, and classifying the 81 papers submitted, the committee on award has not, as yet, made a final report; although much progress is reported and the final announcement is excepted shortly.

Publications under Hodgkins Fund.-There was published during the year as a Hodgkins Fund publication a volume on "Mechanics of the Earth's Atmosphere," consisting of a series of 25 papers translated from the French and German by Professor Abbe, and forming a connected treatise on that subject.

Another volume issued at the cost of the Hodgkins Fund was an exhaustive bibliography of aeronautical literature compiled by Mr. Paul Brockett, and containing titles of 13,500 papers on aviation in all languages published previous to July 1, 1909.

THE SMITHSONIAN TABLE AT THE NAPLES ZOOLOGICAL STATION.

For over seventeen years the Institution has maintained at the Naples Zoological Station a table for the use of American biologists, and the lease has been renewed for a period of three years from January 1, 1910, at an annual rental of 2,500 francs.

The founder and director of the station, Dr. Anton Dohrn, always showed a most cordial spirit of helpfulness toward the Institution in arranging for its appointees, and it is with particular regret that I report his death, which occurred on September 29, 1909. At the request of the Institution, the Department of State designated the American consul at Naples to represent the Institution officially at the funeral.

Doctor Dohrn has been succeeded by his son, Dr. Reinhard Dohrn, who has expressed his earnest adherence to the policies adopted by his father, and assures the Institution of his hearty cooperation during his administration.

97578°-SM 1910-2

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