Evening star., 1932-12-08
ADVANCE IS SHOWN !.
BY SMITHSONIAN
Regents Hear Reports on Re.
search Participated in
by rs Expeditions.

Notable advancement In projects Of
fundamental scientific research were
reported to the regents Of the Smithson-
ian Institution at their annual meeting
today by Secretary Charles g. Abbot.
Chief Justice Charles E Hughes,
chancellor of the institution, and his
fellow regents were informed of the
details of studies dealing with some Of
the basic problems of life on earth. of
expeditions to little known parts of the
globe in search of archaeological, biologi-
cal and geological material and of
rapidly increasing museum collections
In the service of American science
Among the problems to which special
attention has been devoted during the
past year, Secretary Abbot reported,
Is that Of the complicated relationship
between the carbon dioxide assimilation
OF plants and the light intensity to
which they are exposed This is
fundamental process in the organic
world. a sort Of dynamic corner stone
Tor the whole structure of life.
Wheat Plant Experiments.
The experiments, it is reported, were
conducted with wheat plants grown in
liquid solutions, whose chemical con-
tents of root food could be rigidly con-
trolled The carbon dioxide asSimila-
ton of the wheat was measured for
light intensities varying from rs to
1900 foot candles and for carbon dioxide
concentrations varying from .004 to
500 per cent.
The institution, Dr. Abbot reported,
sent out or participated in Is expedi-
tions in furtherance of its researches.
These visited 13 States in the United
States, several European countries,
Canada, Alaska, Mexico. Hispaniola,
Jamaica, British Guinea and Southwest
Africa. One was for the purpose of
collecting rare minerals in the mines
of Mexico. Another sought to locate
the highest, dryest spot in the Eastern
Hemisphere for an astrophysical OBJ
servatory, another made a comprehen-
sive study of the bird life of Hispaniola
and others made important archeologi-
cal discoveries in the Far North.
Among the more interesting additions
were those made to the library. Out
standing gifts were a set of As volumes
Of a notable Buddhist work from the
King of Siam and volume dealing
with Christopher Columbus from
Foreign Minister Grandi Of Italy.
157,S70 Specimens Added.
A total of 157,870 specimens was
added to the collections of the National
Museum, governmentally supported
branch Of the institution A large num-
ber of specimens was examined and re-
ported upon, exchanged with other in
stitutions and given to schools. Collec-
tions of general biological material
were received from Siam and from
Southwest Africa. Important accessions
in archaeology included collections of
antifactS from prehistoric sites in
Europe, native implements from Kodiak
Island, customs and implements used
by the natives of Panama, and native
pottery and textiles from Africa.
An important series of plants came
from the Brazilian Venezuelan frontier
and from Peru. The geological acces-
sions included a gold nugget weighing
81 troy ounces and important collec-
tons Of fossils, particularly Of man.
mails. Important work in Oriental
archaeology and art was carried on by
the Freer Gallery Of Art, under direc-
tton OF the Smithsonian.
Among the significant Smithsonian
activities were those dealing with the
archaeology and ethnology Of the
American Indians, carried out by the
Bureau of American Ethnology.