14 REPORT OP THE SECRETARY. 



MISCELLANEOUS. 



The N'aplen table. — lu the spring of 1893 a petition, signed by nearly 

 200 working biologists, who represented some eighty universities and 

 scientific institutions, was presented to me, asking that a table be 

 maintained by the Smithsonian Institution at the Xaples Zoological 

 Station, for the benefit of American investigators. 



This step, urged by su large a number of representative scientific 

 men, having been duly considered and favorably decided upon, the fol- 

 lowing letter was addressed to Dr. C. W. Stiles, of the American Mor- 

 phological Society, through whom the petition referred to readied me: 



Smithsonian Institution, 



Washington, April 7, 1893. 



Dear Sir : I liave given careful consideration to the petitions and 

 papers presented by you, and I have decided, in behalf of the Smith- 

 sonian Institution, to rent a table at the Naples Zoological Station for 

 three years, and have already taken steps to secure it. 



I shall be glad to be able to learn the opinions of the representative 

 biologists of the United States in regard to the best administration of 

 this table, and I shall esteem it a favor if, through your mediation, an 

 advisory committee of four persons may be formed, one to be nomi- 

 nated by the president of the National Academy of Sciences, one by 

 the president of the American Society of Naturalists, one by the presi- 

 dent of the Morphological Society, and one by the ])resident of the 

 Association of American Anatomists, with the understanding that I 

 may, if need arise, feel at liberty to ask their counsel in regard to the 

 regulations for the use of the table, or as to the merits of applicants 

 for it. 



The table Mill be known as the Smithsonian table. Publications 

 resulting from its use will bear the name of the Smithsonian Institution, 

 and such of them as are of sufficient im))ortance Mill probably be printed 

 in the Smithsonian Contributions to Knowledge. 



While the exact conditions Mill be determined later, I may say, sub- 

 ject to better advices, that it seems to me now that applications for 

 the use of the table should be made to the Secretary of the Institution, 

 M'ho will lU'obably desire to feel authorized to consult the above-men- 

 tioned committee concerning them whenever in his judgment occasion 

 arises for doing so. 



If this meets your approval will you kindly communicate to the 

 president of each of the societies named my request that he nominate 

 a member of the advisory committee in question. 

 Very respectfully, yours, 



S. P. Langley, 



Secretarii. 



Dr. C. W. Stiles. 



Four members of an advisory committee were nominated in accord- 

 ance Mith my request, as follows: 



Maj. John S. Billings, II. S. A., nominated by Prof. O. C. Marsh, 

 ])resident of the National Academy of Sciences. 



E. P>. Wilson, PH. D., professor of zoology, Columbia University, 

 nominated by Prof. Chittenden, president of the Society of American 

 Naturalists. 



