REPORT OF THE SECRETARY. 13 



general subject. There is now in preparation by Dr. Leonard Hill, 

 associated with Dr. Martin Flack and other investigators of the 

 London Hospital Medical College, a paper discussing the results of 

 experiments to determine the influence of the atmosphere upon our 

 health and comfort in confined and crowded places. 



SMITHSONIAN TABLE AT NAPLES ZOOLOGICAL STATION. 



For the past 19 years the Smithsonian Institution has maintained 

 a table for the use of American biologists at the Naples Zoological 

 Station. This table affords exceptional opportunities for the study 

 of marine life, and it is believed that through its use the cause of 

 biological science has been much advanced. 



The appointment of Dr. Sergius Morgulis, a Parker Traveling 

 Fellow from Harvard, which was approved for the months of May, 

 June, and July, was continued until July 22, 1911. 



Dr. Ch. Zeleny, of the University of Illinois, who was appointed 

 for one month, including part of June and July, continued his occu- 

 pancy until July 2G, 1911. At the close of the fiscal year no report 

 had been received from Dr. Zeleny in regard to the work accom- 

 plished. 



Dr. Fernandus Payne, assistant professor of zoology at the In- 

 diana University, carried on researches at Naples during the months 

 of April, May, and June, 1912. His studies included: (a) Selective 

 fertilization, (h) Cleavage factors, and (c) Some pressure experi- 

 ments. In a brief report on his w^ork. Dr. Payne states that he has 

 (1) completed a paper on "The Chromosomes of Grylloptalpa 

 horealis^^'' (2) collected a large amount of material on Gryllotalpa 

 vulgaris^ and expects to study the question of synapsis, ring forma- 

 tion, chondriosomes, and the sex chromosomes in this form. 



When the same period is selected by more than one student the 

 earliest application is considered first, the approval of the later ones 

 becoming necessarily dependent on the ability of the station to pro- 

 vide for more than one Smithsonian appointee at the same time. 

 It should be added that the obliging courtesy shown in this connec- 

 tion to appointees of the Smithsonian Institution by the director of 

 the station often permits appointments to the seat which would other- 

 wise be impracticable. 



The prompt and efficient aid of the advisory committee in examin- 

 ing and reporting on applications for the table is, as it has always 

 been, of great service to the Institution and is very gratefully appre- 

 ciated. 



The Institution has renewed the lease of the table for another 

 period of three years. 



