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on May 30, 1899, on a special steamer, and was gone about two months, visiting the Aleutian Islands, the Pribilof Islands, and the Eskimo settlements on the Asiatic and American shores. The journey was extended through Bering Strait and return, and covered 9,000 miles. Large and important collections were made of mammals, birds, insects, marine animals, fossil shells, and fossil plants. Studies were also made of the great glaciers and of the geological formations of the regions visited. The contents of the volumes received by the Institution are enumerated by the editor in the appendix to the present report. The series consists of 11 volumes, printed and illustrated in the best manner. These books, now known as the Harriman Alaska Series of the Smithsonian Institution, have been distributed, under special Smithsonian title pages, to a selected list of libraries throughout the world, the few copies of certain volumes remaining after such a distribution being held for sale in accordance with the terms of the agreement.

Museum publications.-The National Museum published its annual report, two volumes of proceedings and several bulletins, covering the usual wide range of subjects, but chiefly pertaining to zoology and botany.

Ethnological publications.-The Bureau of American Ethnology issued several bulletins, including part 2 of the Handbook of American Indians North of Mexico; part 1 of the Handbook of American Indian Languages; Antiquities of Central and Southeastern Mississippi Valley; Antiquities of the Mesa Verde National Park, and bulletins on other ethnological subjects.

Publications of historical and patriotic societies.-Annual reports of the American Historical Association and the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution were as usual communicated to Congress in accordance with law.

Advisory committee on printing and publication.-The committee on printing and publication has continued to examine manuscripts proposed for publication by the branches of the Institution, and has considered various questions concerning public printing and binding. Twenty-four meetings of the committee were held during the year and 115 manuscripts were passed upon. The personnel of the committee is as follows: Dr. Frederick W. True, Assistant Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, chairman; Mr. C. G. Abbot, Director of the Astrophysical Observatory; Mr. W. I. Adams, disbursing officer of the Smithsonian Institution; Dr. Frank Baker, superintendent of the National Zoological Park; Mr. A. Howard Clark, editor of the Smithsonian Institution; Mr. F. W. Hodge, ethnologist in charge of the Bureau of American Ethnology; Dr. George P. Merrill, head curator of geology, United States National Museum;

and Dr. Leonhard Stejneger, head curator of biology, United States National Museum.

Allotments for printing.-The allotments to the Institution and its branches, under the head of "Public printing and binding," during the past fiscal year, aggregating $72,700, were, as far as practicable, expended prior to June 30. The allotments for the year ending June 30, 1912, aggregating $72,900, are as follows:

For the Smithsonian Institution, for printing and binding annual re-
ports of the Board of Regents, with general appendixes____
For the annual reports of the National Museum, with general appen-
dixes, and for printing labels and blanks, and for the bulletins and
proceedings of the National Museum, the editions of which shall not
exceed 4,000 copies, and binding, in half turkey or material not more
expensive, scientific books and pamphlets presented to or acquired by
the National Museum library----.

$10,000

34,000

For the annual reports and bulletins of the Bureau of American Ethnology and for miscellaneous printing and binding for the bureau--- 21,000 For miscellaneous printing and binding:

Astrophysical Observatory--.

International exchanges---

International Catalogue of Scientific Literature.

National Zoological Park

For the annual report of the American Historical Association_.

200

100

200

400

7,000

Total

72, 900

LIBRARY.

The libraries of the Smithsonian Institution and of its several branches show an increase of about 18,000 volumes and pamphlets during the last year, being largely additions to the National Museum library and the Smithsonian deposit in the Library of Congress.

During the last five years improved methods and consolidation of work have been adopted in the interest of economy and efficiency, as discussed by the Assistant Secretary in the appendix to this report.

The library of the Bureau of Ethnology has been transferred from its former quarters in a rented building to the galleries of the main hall in the Smithsonian Building where it is much more convenient for reference, though the books are still arranged on temporary wooden shelves. It is hoped that this hall, which was originally planned for library purposes, may in the near future become available for such use. It is proposed, if necessary funds become available, to remove the wooden galleries, stairways, window sashes and frames, and book cases in this hall and substitute fireproof bookstacks, stairways, and windows. The new stacks and cases would accommodate the books belonging to the several bureaus under the direction of the Institution, including a part of the library of the National Museum, which should be kept in a central location. They would also provide a safe place to assemble the

Smithsonian books constantly used by the bureaus, of which several thousand are now scattered through various rooms in the Smithsonian Building.

LANGLEY MEMORIAL TABLET.

The memorial tablet authorized by the Regents to be erected in the Smithsonian building commemorative of the aeronautical work of the late Secretary Langley has not yet been completed. A design for the tablet has, however, been prepared and is under consideration by the committee appointed for the purpose.

INTERNATIONAL CONGRESSES AND CELEBRATIONS.

The Institution each year receives invitations to numerous scientific congresses and celebrations in the United States and abroad, but as funds are not available for the expenses of delegates few of these invitations can be accepted. In some instances, however, it is possible to arrange for representation by collaborators of the Institution who are visiting the localities on official or private business.

Congress of Americanists.-Dr. Aleš Hrdlička was appointed representative of the Smithsonian Institution and the National Museum and delegate on the part of the United States at the second session of the Seventeenth International Congress of Americanists, held in the Museo Nacional, Mexico City, September 8 to 14, 1910. He presented an account of his recent explorations in Peru, and also described the uncovering of an especially interesting sepulchre which he had been invited by the Mexican authorities to open in the ancient ruins of San Juan Teotihuacan.

The meeting was held in the Museo Nacional, and was well attended, especially by scientific men from the United States.

Dr. C. W. Currier, of Washington, was also designated delegate of the United States and a representative of the Smithsonian Institution at the above congress.

International American Scientific Congress.-Mr. Bailey Willis, as delegate on the part of the Smithsonian Institution, attended the International Scientific Congress which was held at Buenos Aires, Argentina, July 10 to July 25, 1910.

Geological Congress.-In August, 1910, the Eleventh International Geological Congress met in Stockholm. Dr. George F. Becker, of the United States Geological Survey, was a delegate on the part of the Smithsonian Institution. The congress was more largely attended than any of its predecessors, and nothing could exceed the hospitality of its reception. The principal subjects of discussion were the distribution and extent of the iron ore deposits of the world, Cambrian paleontology, and the change of climate since the last maximum of glaciation. To all of these subjects painstaking

contributions were made from every quarter of the globe, and the publications of the congress contain the most authoritative exposition of the present state of knowledge on these vital questions. Among the papers presented to the congress was one expressing my view on "the abrupt appearance of the Cambrian fauna."

Zoological Congress.-The Seventh International Zoological Congress was held at Graz, Austria, in August, 1910. The delegates on the part of the United States and the Smithsonian Institution and National Museum were Dr. H. H. Field, Dr. W. R. Kellicott, Dr. Ch. Wardell Stiles, and Mr. Austin H. Clark. About 600 members were present at this congress, of whom about 60 were from the United States, the majority of these representing scientific societies or educational institutions. To facilitate its labors, the congress was divided into sections, each section representing a definite subject or group of subjects. Papers of general interest were read in the Stephaniensalle, a large hall in the center of the city, while papers of more restricted scope were presented in the various lecture rooms of the university. Taken as a whole, the papers read were of a distinctly progressive nature, the authors, especially the younger ones, showing a marked disposition to depart from the time-honored and accepted lines of work and thought, and to approach their subjects from entirely new view points.

Congress of Bibliography and Documentation. Mr. Paul Brockett, assistant librarian of the Institution, who was appointed a delegate to the International Congress of Bibliography and Documentation at Brussels, August 25 to 27, 1910, attended the congress and submitted a report on its proceedings, which is printed in the appendix. Congress of Archivists and Librarians.-An International Congress of Archivists and Librarians was held at Brussels August 29 to 31, 1910, when the Institution was represented by Mr. Paul Brockett, whose report appears in the accompanying appendix.

MISCELLANEOUS.

Hambach collection of fossils.-The Institution has secured from Dr. Gustav Hambach, of St. Louis, a collection of about 20,000 specimens of fossil echinoderms and other animals, with more than 100 types. Almost all the fossils were collected in the Mississippi Valley and are the choicest obtainable. The series of Blastoids, a group of fossil echinoderms, is unique. The collection contains representatives of the various classes of animals, among which may be mentioned many insects from the Cenozoic formation in Colorado; many specimens of Paleozoic fishes, including an especially interesting series of teeth and spines; a complete series of fossil seaurchins; the jaws of a Carboniferous batrachian over a foot long, and of a mastodon.

Chinese photographs.-The Institution has received a valuable series of large photographic negatives taken by Mr. Bailey Willis in connection with his geological work in China. These photographs represent scenery, particularly landscapes in which the loess formation is conspicuous, and also Chinese buildings, monuments, and the people themselves. The route of the expedition through the Provinces of Chihli, Shansi, and Shensi led through the district of the loess formation and some remote mountain regions of great interest and scenic beauty. Copies of many of these photographs have been furnished at cost to various institutions for educational purposes.

NATIONAL MUSEUM.

The most important item of interest in connection with the National Museum during the year was the completion on June 20, 1911, of all structural work on the new building, just six years after the excavations for the foundation were commenced. On another page the Assistant Secretary in charge of the Museum mentions the very superior character of the building for museum purposes. It is massive and imposing in appearance. It is well lighted. There is little room that can not be utilized. More than one-half of the 10 acres of floor space is placed at the service of the public in the interest of popular education, while the remaining space is used for reserve collections and laboratories of the scientific departments and divisions and for the maintenance of the building and the operation of the heating, lighting, and ventilating plant. The greater part of the natural-history collections, including ethnology, have been removed to the new structure; while in the old building space is now afforded for the proper display of objects pertaining to the arts and industries, including the collection illustrating the graphic arts and the art textiles, and also for the large and interesting series illustrative of American history. Although there has as yet been no formal dedication of the new building, the exhibition halls are being opened to the public one after another as the reinstallation of the exhibits progresses. It is planned in the near future to admit visitors to the new building, for a portion of the day at least, on Sundays in order that the people of Washington may be afforded a long-desired opportunity to study the national collections in their leisure hours.

The number of visitors to the new building during the year was 151,112 and to the old building 207,010.

The auditorium in the new building has been utilized for meetings of various scientific bodies and important lectures. The First American International Humane Congress was held there from October 10 to 15, 1910, and in connection therewith an interesting exhibit was displayed.

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