REPORT OF THE PRESIDENT, I908. 27 



production of new species of plants and in the development, by parasitic 

 growth, of plants less well supplied with water on those better supplied 

 therewith. 



The investigations of this department are rapidly accumulating quanti- 

 tative data which are destined to furnish important contributions to the 

 definite solution of many difficult problems of plant and 



Department of animal evolution. It should be noted likewise that the 

 E^J/™^nf experiments of the department with plants, animals, birds, 



and insects are not only of great value in themselves, but 

 of growing interest also by reason of their correlations with the investiga- 

 tions of other departments and with those of Research Associates of the 

 Institution. Thus, to mention only one of these correlations, the whole 

 subject of the physical basis of species derives a fresh impetus from the 

 researches of Dr. Osborne on the chemical properties of proteid food-plants 

 and from the researches of Doctors Reichert and Brown on the mineralogi- 

 cal characteristics of blood crystals. 



For details of the departmental work of the year, reference must be made 

 to the report of the Director in this volume, pages 86-96. It may suffice here, 

 therefore, to call attention to a single additional matter of administrative 

 import. As explained in previous reports. Dr. G. H. Shull, of the depart- 

 mental staff, has in preparation a scientific account of the horticultural 

 methods and products of Luther Burbank. In conformity with the plan 

 adopted by the committee (consisting of the heads of departments of bio- 

 logical research and the President) having charge of this work. Dr. Shull 

 was sent abroad in August of this year for the purpose of visiting the prin- 

 cipal horticultural establishments of Europe. By aid of this opportunity 

 it is hoped that Dr. Shull may not only become better qualified to place the 

 aspects of Mr. Burbank's work in their proper relations, but that he may 

 also gain knowledge of value in the conduct of his own experim.ents in plant- 

 breeding carried on at Cold Spring Harbor. 



Noteworthy progress towards completion of its work has been made 

 during the year by the Department of Economics and Sociology. The 

 Director reports that the appropriations already made will 

 Department of probably suffice to bring the researches under way to the 

 "ociology." stage of publication. The general title adopted for the 



publications of the department is "Contributions to Ameri- 

 can Economic History," and several volumes will probably be ready for 

 printing during the ensuing year. As announced in my preceding report, 

 publication was begun in 1907 of indexes, prepared under the auspices of 

 this department, to the economic materials in official documents of the 

 States of the United States. Indexes for the States of Massachusetts, 



