The Washington herald., 1907-07-21
Institutions Experts Are Investigating in Many
Fields-OperatiOn Is Unique.

I Mooney among the Cheyenne. KiOwa.
and Apache tribes of Oklahoma and In
dian Territory. Or. John r. Swanton in
the South Mrs. n c. Stevenson at the
Pueblo Of Taos and IN Zuni. Mr. J. n =.
Hewitt among the Iroquois, and DR., Cy-
| rus Thomas in Mexico and Central Amer
/ Tea, will continue to study the life and
character Of these first Americans.
! international ExchangeE
/ In the international exchanges, a popu-
/ larly Iess-knOwn feature Of the institu-
/ tons work. the Smithsonian Institution
acts as an international clearinghouse
for scientific and other literature. II is
through these exchanges that men OF
| science IN this country are kept contin-
ually in touch with the work Of investi-
gators in other parts Of the world. and
| through which other investigators are IN
| formed Of the work and discoveries OF
American researchers. The exchange sys-
TEN now includes correspondents in every
civilized part Of the world, numbering in
all above 60000. working iE unison with
other international Exchange systems in
other countries. The Smithsonian Institu-
| ton is at present using its influence with
a view to securing the establishment Of
like systems in England and Germany.
The international catalogue Of scientific
| literature is an interest which the institu-
| ton has recently made an independent
branch of its work. In cooperation with
other nations. every scientific publication
| in the world IS classified and placed on
record according 10 an international code.
I The catalogue is invaluable 10 specialists
| engaged in scientific research, for by its
| help the work and results Of every man
at all connected with science in a civilized
nation may be consulted with comparative
| ease.
4 Unique Department.
| In the Astrophysical Observatory. es-
/ tablished in 1890. the institution has a de-
partment which for a long time was
unique in the United States Treating the
physics rather than the mathematics OF
| astronomy-what was called the new as
tronomy-the whole energy and skill OF
/ its staff are given over TO a study Of solar
radiation and similar problems The prac-
teal value Of this work Is evident from
the results obtained, showing a tangible
and determinable relationship between
the amount OF heat given OF by the sun
| in a season ard the temperature Of the
earth during the following season, the
details Of which are set forth in the an
mails Of the Observatory, the second vol
ume Of which is about 10 be published.
Measurements in Washington and al
Mount Wilson. Cal Of what is known as
the solar constant" the reflection Of
clouds. and the amount Of sky radiation.
are experiments which, worked out, may
well be incorporated in the routine Of
the Weather Bureau. 3Ir. Abbott, who is
| in charge OF the Observatory. besides
/ studying the solar eclipse next January.
/ intends beginning the investigation Of the
radiation Of the earth 10 space. by meas
uTing the transmission Of our atmosphere
+ for the rays Of great wave length which
are emitted by a body at the temperature
+ Of the earth. This is 10 be done by OBJ
+ serving the solar spectrum and by OBJ
serving the transmission of rays from
sbOdies at high temperatures through lay
7 ers Of air Of considerable length and OF
varying water yapor contents.
The National Zoo.
/ And finally there comes under the su-
! peTvisiOn Of the Smithsonian Institution
the National Geological Park, which,
while Of great popular interest, is at the
/ same time very valuable 10 students Of
biology In all its forms. Over d thou
1 sand animals gifts and purchases from
/ very many sources. are now housed in
the park. which comprises hundred
and sixty-seven acres Of hilly wooded
/ land two miles from the center Of Wash
| ington, the beautiful driveway Of the
many who come 10 the Capital 10 live.
IN designing the park, the animals are
retained in surroundings as nearly nat
ural as has been found compatible with
safety It IS the plan OF DR.. Frank Ba-
ker. superintendent Of the park, 10 con-
struct within the year much-needed
special laboratory building and TO pro-
vide a number Of other Improvements to
the park. both with a view 70 making the
governments charges more comfortable
and 70 adding 10 the beauty Of the
grounds. While the proper exhibition and
care Of the animals is the chief object OF
the park officials, experiments in breed
ing 10 secure harder domestic beasts
might well fail within the proper scope