22 CARNEGIE INSTITUTION OE WASHINGTON. 



The signal success already attained by this laboratory leaves no reason 

 for doubt as to the practicability of continued advances toward solution of 

 that large and difficult group of chemical and physical 

 Geophysical Lab- problems presented by the materials of the earth's crust. 

 o'a °^- /jvj^g current report of the Director reviews twenty-six 



papers which have been issued by members of the staff of the laboratory dur- 

 ing the year. Among these papers is a noteworthy contribution to general 

 physics, in which the scale of precise thermometry is extended by 1250° C. 

 This extension was an essential incident to the studies of mineral fusion, 

 crystallization, etc., carried on in the laboratory, but it is of equal impor- 

 tance to other branches of physical research. Another noteworthy paper is 

 a preliminary contribution to the long-standing question of the constitution 

 of Portland cement. The complexity of this substance proves to be far 

 greater than hitherto supposed ; but its general characteristics have been de- 

 termined and the resources of the laboratory are adequate to complete the 

 remaining quantitative details of the investigation. 



International appreciation of the work of the Institution is now shown in 

 many ways. The merits of the researches of the Geophysical Laboratory 

 have been more promptly recognized, indeed, than its projectors anticipated. 

 Thus nearly all of the preliminary papers issued by members of the staff 

 of the laboratory have been published in German as well as in English, and 

 arrangements have been made during the past year to have all such papers 

 appear contemporaneously in both of these languages. 



Of numerous investigations under way at the laboratory, attention may 

 be called here to some preliminary studies of an active volcano, which indi- 

 cate that the phenomena of vulcanism are within range of practicable deter- 

 mination and that progress in this direction is only a question of time and 

 adequate effort. 



In addition to the research work proper carried on by the Director of this 

 department during the year, much of his time and attention have been de- 

 voted to the construction of a new vessel and to the recon- 

 Department of struction of the laboratory at Dry Tortugas. Referenne to 



Marine Biology. . j j & 



this vessel, named the Anton Dohrn, has been made in a 

 previous section of this report, and a description of her characteristics and 

 equipment will be found in the current report of the Director. It may suffice 

 here, therefore, to state that this adjunct gives the department independent 

 and adequate transportation facilities and greatly enlarged opportunities for 

 marine research. 



Mention was made in my report of a year ago of the probable damage done 

 to the Tortugas Laboratory by the destructive hurricane which swept the 

 Florida Keys October 17, 19 10. An inventory of the wreckage was made as 

 soon as practicable, and it was found that an expenditure of $4,000 would be 

 essential to renew the establishment in a safe and effective manner. Accord- 

 ingly, an allotment of this amount from the insurance fund of the Institution 



