The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-12-09
A VALUABLE WORK.
Annual Report of the Smithsonian
Institution.

Annual Report of the Smithsonian
Institution.
Few persons are familiar with the great
work of the Smithsonian Institution.
Many know there is a government insti-
tuition by that name, but of its scope and
functions there is little popular knowledge.
The annual report for the year ending
June 80. 1901. recently issued, says the in
stitution is an establishment" created by
act of Congress, which owes its origin to
the bequest of James Smithson, an English
scientist, who, when he died in Genoa,
Italy. in 1922 left his entire estate, amount
ing TO about three-quarters OF million
dollars, to the United States of America,
Ito found at Washington, under the name
of the Smithsonian Institution, estab-
lfshment for the increase and diffusion of
knowledge among men," When Congress
accepted the trust it provided that the
President and Cabinet should be the main
factors of the institution but that it should
be governed by board of regents. The
institution at first was a mere museum
for the preservation of speciemns of every
thing relating to natural history, ethnol-
collection of books and the publication of
papers on scientific subjects were taken up.
Eminent men, the foremost in scientific
ne,ds. AIDED IN preparing treatises on the
subjects in which they were interested.
These were Incorporated in the annual re-
ports and they have come to be regarded
as the highest authority on the matters
OF which they treat.
Through the energy and great ability of
the secretary, Samuel Pierpont Langley,
the institution is now fulfilling the wishes
OF It's founder in diffuSng knowledge among
men. In fact, ii probably has reached a
stage in the dissemination OF scientific in
formation that was not dreamed of by
John Smithson. The library is growing
each year, the collection is now so large
that new building has become necessary
for the museum, and scientists and trained
assistants are securing the earth for some
thing new (or old, rather.) The museum is
world history In itself, for II contains
specimens t,i rs In some form. Of almost every
creation. There also is much that Illus
trates the customs and habits of mankind
IN all ages Live specimens of animals.
birds. reptiles and fishes are to be found
in the National Geological Park, and the
institution is endeavoring to increase this
collection by securing specimens of ami
mails rapidly becoming extinct.
The report for 1901 contains many illus
trated articles written by scientists who are
recognized as the most eminent in their
line. Some of the subjects are technically
scientific, but others are written for popu-
lar reading. The main subjects and their
authors are here given in order to show
the scope Of the popular future of the re-
port; Bodies Smaller than Atoms, by
j. j. Thomson; wireless Telegraphy,"
Marconi; TRANSATLANTIC Telephoning,
s Ml11am Mli Anthony Tns TelsRaCnO
w
Astronomical Events" C. G. Abbot; "a
Model by Nature A. w. Rucker; "A
Century of the Study of Meteorites," Oliver
c. Harrington; Recent Studies in Gravita-
national Matter through Infinite Space
Lord Kelvin; 1.-The Exploration of the At
mosphere a, Sea by Means Of Kites" A
James Dewar; Utilizing the Suns Ener-
! gy," Robert III. Thurston; 1.-The New
Rsd eiL Rays and Roentgen
Sir William ]. Herscchel; THE History
Emigrant Diamonds in America" William
Hart Merriam: 1.-THE Sea in the Life of the
Nation Alfred Kerchoff; 1.-The Palace of
Minos," Arthur j. Evans; 1.-The Mind of
the American ind,ansA study Study in Psyeho o.
ogy and Invention" Otis T. Mason; 1.-THE
Development of Illumination Walter
Hough; "Boomerangs." Gilbert T. Walker;
Breed Under the Existing Conditions Of
Law and Sentiment" Francis Cation; The
eT he Iaws Sf N Satane Lang
ley; Salt and It's Physiological Uses
A Dastre: Automobile Races" Henry
| Fournier and others; THE Dinosaurs" f.
| A. Lucas; THE Greatest Flying Creature"
s. p. Langley, introducing paper by T.
Ornithostoma; THE okapi. the Newly Dis
covered Beast Living in Central Africa. Sir
| Harry II. Johnston; observations on
Termites. or White Ants" G. ID. Haviland;
THE Wanderings Of the White Buffalo"
1.-The Submarine Boat" Rear Admiral
| George w. Melville; THE Natural Zoo at
| Washington. Study of the Animals In
| Relation to Their Natural Environment"
Ernest Seton Thompson.
| The foregoing list shows that while much
| of the contents of the report is purely
scientific, of the subjects are what
| might be termed popular. Everybody cares
| to read about birds and beasts and when
| such writers as Seton Thompson, r. A.
Lucas and Sir Harry II. Johnston tell of
| them there is certain to be a great deal of
| valuable information gained. One OF the
| most interesting articles is 1.-THE Children s
| Room in the Smithsonian Institution" by
! Albert Bigelow Paine. adapted from an
article by himself in St. Nicholas.
| Government publications are usually
| printed regardless of expense, and this is
| true of the Smithsonian Institutions report.
| The Illustrations are as fine as any ever
| presented. No color work ever surpassed
| the pictures of butterflies. humming birds
| and the view of the children's room.
| Nature is sometimes hard 10 counterfeit,
| but in the cases mentioned the artist
| printer and engraver have succeeded. Sir
| William j. Herschels article on Color
| Photography" has three pictures in colors
| that are worth preserving as samples OF
Atrry. t. ~fx.f frRe