2o6 REPORTS OF INVEISTIGATIONS AND PROJECTS. 



destruction on the fish ponds and cocoanut trees, yet spared the heiau, so far 

 as appears. 



Mr. Stokes was able to get photographs of a very curious structure of em- 

 bedded stones which I measured twenty years ago, a structure not observed 

 elsewhere in connection with Hawaiian worship, called "The place for cook- 

 ing the rain." This can not be explained without illustrations. 



There remain the large islands of Maui and Kauai, and the small ones of 

 Lanai and Kahoolawe to be surveyed, which we hope to complete the next 

 season. In the meantime certain structures on this island of Oahu will be 

 mapped and excavated. 



ASTRONOMY. 



Newcomb, Simon, Washington, District of Columbia. Grant No. 550. 

 Investigations in mathematical astronomy, statistical methods, and eco- 

 nomic science. (For previous reports see Year Books Nos. 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 

 and 7.) $5,000. 



The main object for which this grant was given has been accomplished, 

 to wit, a precise study of the moon's mean longitude, extending over a period 

 of some 3,000 years, in an attempt to reconcile gravitational theory with ob- 

 servation. Over 30 years ago the author announced that the motion of the 

 moon was not in accord with any known gravitational theory. This result is 

 completely confirmed by the present investigation, in which it is shown, how- 

 ever, that the deviations from theory are much more complicated than had 

 been previously supposed. The predicted positions of the moon, given in the 

 astronomical ephemerides, are in error by as much as 12 seconds of arc at 

 the present time. Tables have already been computed, based upon the present 

 investigation, which will reduce this error to less than i second. 



BIBLIOGRAPHY. 



Fletcher, Robert, Army Medical Museum, Washington, District of Colum- 

 bia. Grant No. 578. Preparation and publication of the Index Medicus. 

 (For previous reports see Year Books Nos. 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7.) 



$12,500. 



Since the last report made in relation to the Index Medicus the volume 

 for 1908 (vol. VI ) was completed and the monthly numbers for the current 

 year are being issued. The increase of medical periodical literature through- 

 out the world is again noticeable. The Index Medicus for 1908 forms a 

 volume of 1,380 pages. In addition to the usual sources from which this 

 classified medical bibliography is obtained, it is of interest to observe the in- . 

 crease of what may be termed "special medical congresses" — meetings of 

 physicians from all parts of the world in some central city to discuss the 



