New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-07-21
ECLIPSE EXPEDITION.

Plans have been made FOR Smithsonian
eclipse expedition in charge OF c G. Abbot. d.
rector of the Astrophyscal Observatory, 10 OBJ
serve from Flint Island. in the Southern Pacific.
the total eclipse OF the sun 70 occur on January
3. 1905. Mr.. Abbot is to observe the heating effect
OF the suns corona and TO decide II possible more
particularly the causes of coronaI light Mr.
Abbot will work with Professor W. W. Campbell
OF the Lick Observatory
In connection with examinations Of the boyn-
dairy surveys OF the forty-ninth parallel the
United States part Of which has been placed in
charge Of Director Tttman OF the Coast and
Geodetic Survey and Secretary WalcOtt OF the
institution. Mr.. WaIcott Will make geological
study OF the Cambrian and pre-Cambriau Sec
lions OF British Columbia and endeavor 70 trace
the continuance Of the rocks composing these
southwark to Montana and Idaho.
Investigations along technical lines are being
conducted through the HOdgkiEs fund by 4 num-
her of correspondents Of the institution. A
Hodgkins grant was recently approved in favor
of Or X. Won Lendenteld. OF the Geological In
stitute Prague. TO enable the continuance OF
hts studies OF the organs OF flight OF birds and
Insects, which in this period OF experimenting in
aerial navigation are OF vital interest.
The most comprehensive government branch
OF the Smithsonian Institution is the National
Museum. which also includes the National Cal
Iery OF Art. under the immediate direction OF
Richard Rathbun. Interest IN this direction is
most NNelE upon tue SUBJECT OF tls eIeCtlOu o.
the new museum building, which il Is hoped Will
be under roof by the close of this calendar year.
In the new building IL IS planned 10 house main
" the scientific collections, which include natural
history geology. ethnoioEy. archaeology and al
He'd subjects. The present museum building will
then be turned over TO the department. OF arts
and industries and the building OF the tnstitu-
t!on itself Will become a museum of fine arts.
and until the growth Of collections demands
larger quarters VIII be the seat of the National
Gallery OF Art Since the National Gallery in
the last year has had q remarkable and surprls-
ing growth through the Sits OF Harriet Lane
Johnson. Charles l. Freer George Evans and
others there is increased hope among those di-
rectly in charge that not far in the future the
United States government may boast OF a gal
Ierv Of American art truly national in its char
acter.
While the museum is the custodian of all gov
eminent collections and while 10 the public It's
main feature is the exhibition of characteristic
objects in its several divisions. Yet the law de-
mands that these materials shall be classified
and properly arranged. task which invites 4
large amount Of research work. Consequently. the
museum scientific staff Is made UP, so far as
means allow Of experts in the several subjects
repreeented The scientific work is carried on
continuously and results in many important
contributions TO knowledge. Little actual field
work however is done the museum depending
for It's material upon the regular government
expeditions and contributions from thousands or
nrivate sources-gifts and exchanges. Some of
the assistants in the museum arc expert field
workers. and while the finances for this purpose
ore limited opportunity often arrives. especially
through explorations by the geologic survey, the
bureau OF fisheries. the bureau OF American eth-
nologv and the Department of Agriculture 10
engage in work of this sort.