2 BULLETIN 193. UNHED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM 



contains technical papers in biology, geology, and anthropology, based on the 

 Museum's collections in these fields. Most of them are taxonomic in char- 

 acter, since one of the principal tasks of Museum curators is to name and 

 arrange in systematic order the specimens and objects under their care. Copies 

 of each paper, in pamphlet form, are distributed as published to libraries and 

 scientific organizations and to specialists and others interested in the different 

 subjects. The dates at which these separate papers are published are recorded 

 in the table of contents of each of the completed volumes. 



No Circular has been issued since 1929, and the quarto series of Special 

 Bulletins stopped with the final part of No. 4 in 1915. 



There have been three editors of the National Museum publications: 

 A. Howard Clark, who served from 1879 to 1896; Marcus Benjamin, from 

 1896 to 1931; and Paul H. Oehser, the present editor, who succeeded Dr. 

 Benjamin in 1931. 



The original distribution of all Museum publications is designed to 

 make them as widely available as possible, in view of the relatively small 

 editions printed. They are sent free to libraries and scientific establishments 

 throughout the world, to specialists in the particular fields of science involved, 

 and to others interested who may request copies. Small editions of the Bul- 

 letins and Reports are printed for sale by the Superintendent of Documents, 

 United States Government Printing Office. Only the most recent publica- 

 tions are now available, the earlier numbers (except in rare instances) being 

 long out of print. Information as to the availability of any particular number 

 may be obtained by addressing the Division of Publications, Smithsonian 

 Institution, Washington 25, D. C. 



The present list and index have been compiled in the Editorial Division 

 of the Smithsonian Institution, \inder the direction of Webster P. True, chief, 

 and Paul H. Oehser, assistant chief. The classified index of titles is the work 

 of Miss Gladys O. Visel, editorial clerk; while Mrs. Phyllis W. Prescott 

 and Miss Ruth B. MacManus have aided in assembling the list. Lester 

 E. Commerford, chief of the Division of Publications, has been most helpful 

 in supplying dates and other information. 



Scientific bibliographies and indexes rarely need apology, since they are 

 the acknowledged indispensable tools of scientists, teachers, students, libra- 

 rians, and editors. The present list is no exception, the only regret being that 

 it was not found practicable at this time to list under one cover all the publica- 

 tions of the Smithsonian Institution. Such a comprehensive list would include 

 the publications of the Smithsonian proper, the Bureau of American Ethnol- 

 ogy, the Astrophysical Observatory, the Freer Gallery of Art, and the 

 National Collection of Fine Arts, as well as those of the National Museum. 

 In lieu of that, the present work is offered, and those who are familiar with 

 matters of scientific literature will know that it represents a notable achieve- 

 ment in the "diffusion of know^ledge among men" and one of w^iich James 

 Smithson, founder of the Smithsonian Institution, would have been truly proud. 



