Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-07-15

| kept moist This fish actually can
climb steep. slippery clay banks hy use
OF Its fms It goes overland from one
water body to another. travelling as fast
as a man walking slowly.
| Last year. DR.. Smith collected 200
| species OF birds, Is of them being wood
peckers. One of the most beautiful
| was the daintily colored Jambu fruit
pigeon. CruStaceanS sent by DIR. Smith
are well preserved His land shells
numbered 1900 specimens, among
Wnicn we're some new species His con-
trsoutions of mammals, insects and
plants are equally valuable to the insti-
tuition.
FILES of our Western mountains con-
cerned j. NJ Aldrich of the Di-
vision of Insects, Wells. Nevada, and
Yellowstone National Park we're among
the places visited by Aldrich. Marshes
near the East Humboldt range pro-
duced 20 new fly species in a single
hours collecting. He found flies more
numerous on the Yellowstone plateau
mat at any place in which he had ever
collected.
At an altitude of $500 feet. near
Ellery Lake. in California, Aldrich
found the "cold-blooded flies" THESE
insects find harbor in almost every va
riety Of climate.
j. N. Rose of the Division of Plants
and Paul @. Russell of the Department
OF Agriculture searched the wide state
OF Texas for native plants that might
prove to be source of rubber, Al
though results of this expedition were
mostly negative. the investigators
brought back many rare specimens of
special interest as coming from the
localities where they were originally de-.
scrioed. Near Brownsville. they found
a variety of the common poinsettia
which grows very abundantly. 1t pro-
ouces about per cent crude rubber
ana. according to Rose. deserves more
study.
III far away Sumatra, Harley Harris
Bartlett studied the fast-disannes r,n0
plants of that country. Many plant
species, he believes, are doomed To ey-
tncuon because Of the ruthless adj
vance OF cultivated areas. The natives
think their tropical forests are inex-
nauStible, but 1t will be only n few
years, says Bartlett. before q match Of
virgin forest viii be a rarity.
Inc scientist "botanized'' in Sumatra
more tnan six months and brought
PACK 2,40o specimens with many dupli-
cafes, Az Loendoet. his drying shed
puIneu, destroying many of his speci-
mems and much of his equipment,
A. s. Hitchcock of the section Of
grasses spent 10 weeks In examining
the grasses of Washington and oregon.
Inc OBJECT OF the trip was to determine |
the variations In the species observed. |
Riding and walking day after day
through meadows, forests and plains. |
ne came TO know the kinds OF grass |
preferred by stock. Some grasses are |
eaten greedily others are avoided or |
eaten only under the pressure of acute |
munger he collected about 200 species. |
:, one OF tne most interesting expedi- |
ions was that OF G. w. Bishop, who. !
under auspices of the Freer Gallery Of |
ART. conducted four-year inveStiea- /
ton In 10 of the Is provinces In China
Ills party was In the field from 1929 |
10 March. 1927, AT the initiative of |
the Chinese government he was an
pointed honorary adviser.
Bishop studied the famous sculp-
tured Buddhist caves of yum Kang and
many sites OF historical Importance
were noted. among them what seems 10
pc the earlier capital OF the Tartar
uyhasty lie visited the region near
Ihe eaee OF the Mongolian plateau,
where the Huns, who later ravared
Europe, are known to have held their
great annual assemblies, about the he
OF the Christian era. Here
were secured numerous bronze objects
arrow heads, knives and ornaments
Inc party explored the length OF the
province of Shansi and found many
sites new to science.
Besides achieving the fundamental
purpose OF his trip. namely, OF reach
ING an understanding with the Chinese
themselves for effective cooperation
~ archaeological research, the expedi-
ION made definite beginning in trae-
Ing the development OF civilization In
several OF the historical regions OF
China,
This etlert In conjunction with the
growing collections OF the Peer CAL
cry and the steady acquisition Of Chi. /