(28l) 



REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR OF THE LABO- 

 RATORIES. 



Dr. N. L. Britton, Director-in-Chief. 



Dear Sir: I have the honor to submit the following report 

 for the year ending January i, 1902. 



The equipment of the laboratories has been increased to 

 meet the constantly widening scope of investigations taken 

 up. Various apparatus and instruments of precision have 

 been secured, and also much valuable material which may 

 not appear on an invoice of permanent equipment. A dozen 

 desks after plans approved by the director, suitable for re- 

 search work, have been secured. Every available table is 

 now occupied. The most pressing need of the laboratories, 

 however, is that of cases suitable for the reception and proper 

 protection of the more delicate apparatus. 



The investigation of certain economic problems in vegetable 

 dyes, and in pathology has made necessary the arrangement 

 of the chemical laboratories for practical work, and it will be 

 necessary to develop the equipment in this branch at the 

 earliest possible moment. Additional apparatus for section- 

 ing and preparation of paleobotanical specimens are also 

 needed. 



The collection of old microscopes presented by Mr. C. F. 

 Cox, has been suitably placed in a case in a corridor in the 

 laboratories and forms an exhibit very attractive to visitors. 



The study of the meteorological conditions in the Garden 

 has been continued, and a method devised for the estimation 

 of the thermal values of climates. This plan has met the 

 approval of the " Committee on Relation of Climate to Veg- 

 etation," of the American Association for Advancement of 

 Science, of which I have the honor to be a member. A form 

 of thermograph suitable for the continuous registration of 

 temperatures of the soil has been constructed after plans by 

 Dr. Wm. Halleck, of the Department of Physics of Columbia 

 University. Temperature and humidity tests made in the 



