I shall also be glad to know if you will consent to be a member of a committee to award such a prize, if given, and to learn from you in the same connection of any important research, germane to your own studies, that would be materially advanced by a grant from the funds now available under this liberal construction.

In further illustration of my meaning, I take the liberty of inclosing a copy of a reply made to me in answer to a similar inquiry concerning the science of anthropology, which I do merely to show more clearly the character of the information I desire.

The following was the inclosure. It is an answer by a distinguished anthropologist to a similar question, and was inclosed as an illustration of the fact that the terms of the Hodgkins donation apply even to scientific matters which may appear at first sight disconnected with the subject (i. e. to anthropology), but which upon consideration are seen to be intimately related to it:

DEAR SIR: In reply to your inquiry concerning the relations existing between anthropology and the study of the atmosphere I beg leave to say that the natural history of man takes into consideration:

(1) Man, as modified by climate.

(2) His arts as occasioned and affected by the atmosphere.

As to the first, the atmosphere, through climate, elevation, etc., upon man considered as an animal, is believed to have affected his bodily form and stature, the color of his eyes, hair, and skin; his longevity, fecundity, and vigor, and therefore to have been the most potent factor of all in producing those varieties of our species called races, and to be at the foundation of these problems whose discussion constitutes the science of ethnology.

As to the second, most of the arts and activities of man depend upon the atmosphere for their suggestion and methods. For example, his habitations, clothing, and the common occupations of his daily life are most obviously controlled by his atmospheric surroundings, which make him in the Arctic regions a hunter of furs, dwelling underground; in the temperate zone a farmer, dwelling in houses; in the tropics a hunter of ivory, dwelling in open shelters from the sun.

Permit me to observe further, that the study of the air can not be omitted in connection with the science of sociology. Even philology draws its material and perhaps derives it forms largely from the atmosphere, and the primitive philosophies and mythologies of the world are filled with imagery and theories derived therefrom. Therefore in selecting, at your request, from the relationships of the atmosphere to the science of anthropology in general, two or more subjects for prize essays, I have only too much scope.

After much consideration I would propose to suggest that a prize of not less than $1,000 should be offered for an essay upon one of the following topics:

1. The relation of atmospheric phenomena to the cosmogenies, creeds, and cults of all peoples.

2. Atmospheric changes as determining the forms of primitive society, family and tribal organizations, etc.

3. As between the monogenistic and the polygenistic theory of the origin of man, what light is thrown upon the question by a study of atmospheric influences upon man's physical constitution. 4. Atmospheric influences and phenomena as affecting constructive and decorative architecture.

These essays should be presented within a specified time and submitted to the judgment of a committee, of which I should be willing to be a member. Notice of this prize could advantageously be made public through the following special journals: L'Anthropologie, Paris; Archiv für Anthropologie, Braunschweig.

In regard to your inquiry as to any important research germane to the subject in which I am personally interested, which would be advanced by a grant of money, I beg leave to say that I am at present hindered from pursuing my investigations into the influence of climate and other atmospheric phenomena in bringing about the distribution of tribes and stocks of North American aborigines at the time of the discovery, by the need of a small sum of money which might be placed at my disposal. If I had $500 unfettered by conditions, I could within a year's time undertake to bring together the elements for the solution of this problem, which has puzzled for so many years students of ethnology and philology.

I am, very respectfully yours,

S. P. LANGLEY, Esq.,

Secretary Smithsonian Institution,

Washington, D. C.

As soon as the attention of the public had been directed to Mr. Hodgkins's gift, numerous applications for assistance from the fund were made, and I deemed it advantageous to appoint a special advisory committee, to which might be referred matters pertaining to the Hodgkins fund. This committee was composed of Surgeon John S. Billings, U. S. Army, Director of the Army Medical Museum, in behalf of hygiene and the related sciences; Prof. F. W. Clarke, chemist of the U. S. Geological Survey; Mr. William H. Dall of the U. S. Geological Survey, well known for his biological and anthropological studies; Prof. William C. Winlock, in behalf of astronomy and physics, and the Assistant Secretary of the Institution, Dr. G. Brown Goode, who acted as chairman. The committee has held several meetings, and I desire at this time to express my high appreciation of the value of the work which they have already done, both as a committee and individually. At the close of the year, the committee had under consideration, at my request, a form of circular to be issued to learned institutions and investigators throughout the world, calling attention to the establishment of the Hodgkins fund, and announcing certain prizes which it is intended to offer for essays upon specified subjects.

THE NATIONAL MUSEUM.

I took occasion in my last report to invite your attention to the fact that the very rapid growth of the collections of the Museum was becoming, under existing circumstances, a source of great embarrassment. The difficulties of the situation have increased during the past year, since, while the influx of specimens has continued, no additional space has been provided for their reception and only an insignificant additional sum of money for their maintenance.

This unsolicited increase of the collections should properly be a source of gratification rather than of embarrassment. Growth is essen tial to the welfare of a museum, and to check it is sure to produce unfortunate results. It seems undesirable to say to the friends of the Museum that their valuable donations can not be received. Such a course would alienate their sympathy, and the Museum would lose the advantage of their good offices. Under existing conditions, however, the necessity of resorting to so undesirable a measure is perilously near. The increase of the collections from certain other sources can not even thus be checked.

Large collections are made every year by the Department of Agriculture, the Geological Survey, the Fish Commission, and other Departments and Bureaus of the Government, either as an essential part of their work or incidentally. By provision of law the Museum is made the custodian of these collections, and it can not, therefore, do other wise than to receive and preserve them.

Many valuable objects are exposed to dust and vandalism from the lack of sufficient money to procure the necessary cases for their protection. Series of objects, such as the great Lacoe collection of fossil plants, recently acquired, are frequently offered with the condition that suitable cases be provided. For the safe-keeping of the objects already in the possession of the Museum and for the reception of those offered. numerous storage and exhibition cases are a necessity.

The number of specimens of all kinds in the Museum at the close of the year, as shown by the following table, nearly equalled three and a quarter millions. The increase for the year was about 260,000 specimens, or nearly double that of 1891.

Table showing the annual increase in the departments of the National Museum.

Table showing the annual increase in the departments of the National Museum—Continued.

Up to 1890 the numbers have reference only to specimens received through the Museum, and do not include specimens received for the National Herbarium through the Department of Agriculture. The figures given for 1890-'91 include, for the first time, the number of specimens received both at the National Museum and at the Department of Agriculture for the National Herbarium.

The actual increase in the collections during the year 1889-'90 is much greater than appears from a comparison of the totals for 1889 and for 1890. This is explained by the apparent absence of any increase in the department of lithology and metallurgy; the total for 1890 in both of these departments com bined, showing a decrease of 46,314 specimens, owing to the rejection of worthless material.

Although about 200 specimens have been received during the year, the total number of specimens in the collection is now less than that estimated for 1889, owing to the rejection of worthless material. 5 The collection now contains between 3,000 and 4,000 specimens.

No estimate of increase made in 1890 or 1891.

Table showing the annual increase in the departments of the National Museum-Continued.

'The actual increase in the collections during the year 1889-190 is much greater than appears from a comparison of the totals for 1889 and for 1890. This is explained by the apparent absence of any increase in the depart ment of lithology and metallurgy; the total for 1890 in both of these departments combined, showing a decrease of 46,314 specimens, owing to the rejection of worthless material. *Included in the historical collection.

3The total number of specimens in the department of Birds in 1890-'91 was 62,806 instead of 62,601. 4Only a small portion of the collection represented by this number was received during the year 1889-'90.

"The decrease in this department for the year 1891-'92 was occasioned by the transfer of 1,000 skeletons to the department of vertebrate fossils.

Up to 1890 the numbers have reference only to specimens received through the Museum, and do not include specimens received for the National Herbarium through the Department of Agriculture. The figures given for 1890-'91 include, for the first time, the number of specimens received both at the National Museum and at the Department of Agriculture for the National Herbarium.

"Collections combined in October, 1889, under Department of Geology. The apparent decrease of more than 50 per cent of the estimated total for 1889 is accounted for (1) by the rejection of several thousands of specimens from the collection, and (2) by the fact that no estimate of the specimens in the reserve and duplicate series is included.

"Transferred to the National Zoological Park.

NOTE. The fact that the figures for two successive years relating to the same collection are unchanged, does not necessarily imply that there has been no increase in the collection, but that for some special reason it has not been possible to obtain the figures showing the increase.