REPORT OF THE PRESIDENT, 1921. 11 



In addition to new problems for which the Institution has con- 

 tributed only the mechanism for preliminary or initial studies, 

 attention should be called to the fact that certain 

 teSrof Depart- of the departments now in existence may with 

 ment Activities. pj.Q£^ extend their investigations into other stages 

 promising large results based upon the work already accom- 

 pUshed. Mention may be made here of the work of the Geo- 

 physical Laboratory, a unique institution devoting itself to funda- 

 mental questions of physics and chemistry relating to the com- 

 position and structure of the earth's crust. The work already 

 completed has not only set science forward to a relatively advanced 

 position in knowledge of problems originally fixed as the goal, but 

 it is further to the credit of the Institution that the fundamental 

 researches, conducted without reference to application, have 

 contributed much to an understanding of certain critical ques- 

 tions in the field of applied physics and chemistry. 



A review of the present situation indicates that advance of 

 investigations in the Geophysical Laboratory in such a manner as 

 to take full advantage of results already secured makes it desir- 

 able to extend the facilities required for high-pressure research. 

 For the conduct of this work it would be desirable to have a 

 small building erected as a unit separate from the present labo- 

 ratory. New apparatus specially adapted for high-pressure work 

 would be a requisite for the further researches proposed, and the 

 reorganization incident to carrying forward these studies should 

 be supported by addition of several speciahsts and assistants to 

 the staff. 



The extraordinary advances made in researches conducted at 

 Mount Wilson Observatory since the war have opened up entirely 

 new possibihties, not only in the field of observational astronomy 

 but in the combination of physics with astronomy so ably and 

 effectively organized in the work of the laboratory. A large 

 measure of the success of the Observatory is due to combination 

 of physical and astronomical studies. In addition to opening 

 great opportunities for observation by use of exceptional tele- 

 scopes, the Observatory has aimed to check, interpret, and extend 



