The Washington herald., 1921-05-29
EXPLORERS COMB
WIDE WORLD FOR
NATIONS MUSEUM
Smithsonian Scientists
End Years Search in
- Remote Spots.


The Smithsonian institution has
Just issued its annual exploration
pamphlet. describing and profusely
Illustrating its scientific field work
Throughout the world during 1890.
-Tventy-thrse separate expeditions
Awsre in the field carrying on re-
searches in geology. paleontology,
zoology. botany, astrophysics, an
thropology, archaeology and ethnol-
ogy, and the regions visited included
the Canadian rockies, fourteen states
Of the United States, Haiti, Jamaica,
teur countries of South America, AZ
r:ca from the Cape to Cairo. China,
Japan. Korea, Manchuria, Mongolia,
Australia and the Hawaiian islands.
- The pamphlet serves as an an
!, nouncement of the results obtained.
and many of the expeditions will be
more fully described later in the
various series of publications under
the direction of the Smithsonian.
The book Is so thoroughly illustra-
y, ted. however, that an excellent idea
- nley be obtained of the work itself
and the regions in which IT was
conddcted-
Nr Contfnaes Geological Work.
Secretary walcott continued his
geological work In the Cambrian
rocks of the Canadian rocky noun
tains in the region northeast of
Banff, Alberta The work was him
dered considerably during July and
August by forest fires, and by con-
q tinuous stormy weather in Septem-
der, but the particular questions in
evolved in the seasons research were
beautiful photographs of this wild
and rugged region are shown in the
pamphlet. Other geological field
work was successfully carried on in
a various states Of the United States
by members Of the stan.
.asIn astrophysical research the IN
stftutfon was unusually active:
Through the generosity of John A
SRoebling, Of New Jersey, the Smith
sonian solar observing station, 10
Gated on the plain near Calama'
Chile, was moved to nearby noun
tain peak where the observations
will be unaffected by dust and
smoke, and a new station was estab-
lished on the Harqua Hala noun
tain. Arizona, probably the most
cloudless region in the United states.
From daily obAervations of the
radiation of the sun at these two
widely separated stations. II Is hoped
to establish definitely the value OF
Hsolar constant observations In
forecasting weather. DR.. C. G. Ao-
Aet. director of the work, also de-
serfbes the successful operation on
Mount Wilson. California, of solar
cooker devised by him. With TINS
apparatus il was possible, usin
only the suns heat, to cook bread
meat, vegetables and preserves.
Hindsred by wrecks
Mr.. n. c. Raven represented the
Smithsonian on an extensive col
-~feeting expedition through Atrics
from south TO north. Although
many difficulties were encountered
among others a railway wreck ~
which two members of the -expedi-
% tion were killed. Mr.. Raven shipped
70 the institution much interesting
geological material which was great
~ needed for purposes OF compari-
son in working up the famous
and Rainey collections al
ready in the national museum
Many interesting photographs of the
animals. the natives. and the coun-
t-y itself are shown in this ac-
count and in that of DR.. Shantz.
who accompanied the expedition as
a botanical collector In Australia
a Smithsonian naturalist collected,
through the generosity of DR.. W.
L. Abbott, specimens of the fast
disappearing fauna of the continent.
while DR.. Abbott himself secured
a great numer of plants. birds, and
other natural history material for
the national museum, in various re-
- - 6ar NJ Nf q y
geological and botanical expeditions
are briefly described and illustrated.
Studies Indians Origin.
In anthropology. DR.. Ales Hrd-
licka, OF the national museum. con-
Quoted extensive Investigations in
the far east with the objects in
view of continuing the study of
the origin of the American Indian.
examination OF the oldest skeletal
. remains in Japan. furthering the
interests of physical and medical
anthropology in China and investi-
cations among the rapidly disap-
pearing full-blooded Hawaiians. The
work was successful in every re-
spect-
"a DR.. J. Walter Fewkes continued
his archaeological feld-work on the
mesa Nerde national park, COLORADO.
During the field season Of 1920 he
exeavated and repaired a remarka-
BILE prehistoric building which he
designates Fire Temple" on ac-
count OF the undoubted use of this
structure by the Indians in connec-
ton with the worship of fire. The
ruin is described and illustrated
p, in the pamphlet
The book ia eonrluaaS v{th n,,
mcrous accounts OF field-work
among the American Indians by
members of the staff OF the bureau
Of American ethnonogy, Smithsonian
institution, including researches
among the Hopi. the Papaeo and
- 'Pavnee, the Fox and Cree, and
others; and archaeological investiea-
lions OF prehistoric aboriginal strue-
tnHe4 and dXeIlInra L.,