Bureau of American Ethnology.— This bu reau is an outgrowth of researches beginning early in the history of the institution, whose first publication in the series
Astrophysical Observatory.— The Astro physical Observatory was established in 1890 under the immediate direction of the present secretary. It has been devoted, in the main, to researches in regard to that invisible portion of the solar spectrum which lies beyond the limit of the red. This work, first rendered possible by Mr. Langley's invention of the bolometer, has been carried still further, resulting in a great map of the infra-red solar spectrum com pleted in 1899, which extends our knowledge of the spectrum to many times that known to Newton. It is believed that these studies will prove of great practical importance, since they have to do with that region of the spectrum which includes the greater portion of the en ergy of the sun, which through its heat affects climate and crops. Important expeditions were
sent out in 1900 and 1901 to observe the total solar eclipses of those years, and especially valuable results were obtained at that of 1900, including photographs of the solar corona of unexampled size and excellence. An expedi tion was planned to enlarge the work of meas uring solar radiation, by establishing a station in South America. Owing to war conditions this has been stationed temporarily at Hump Mountain, N. C. (1917).
National Zoological Park.— The National Zoological Park was established by Congress in 1890 at the initiative of the present secretary, to secure the preservation of such American animals as are upon the verge of extinction, and also for the pleasure and instruction of the people. The park is situated upon Rock Creek, two miles north of the centre of the city, and has an area of 167 acres, being four times as large as the Zoological Garden at London. It is amply supplied with water, and its surface is of a varied and picturesque character. The col lection comprises 1,225 animals, mostly Ameri can species. A hospital and laboratory were established in 1917.
Summing up what has been said about the Smithsonian Institution, we see that it occupies the exceptional position of a ward of the gov ernment, its regents expending its own income, which is largely supplemented by direct govern ment grants for its museum and other bureaus; while through its extended system of publica tions, its library and its means for encouraging research and diffusing knowledge, through a body of over 30,000 correspondents abroad and approximately half that number at home, it occupies its actual place in the scientific activi ties of the day.
Consult 'The Smithsonian Institution, 1846 96, the History of its First Half Century,' edited by George Brown Goode; and subsequent Annual Reports.