REPORT OF THE SECRETARY 7 



members of the staff are frequently consulted on research problems 

 in the field of radiation as related to living organisms. During the 

 year the attention of the staff was concentrated on photosynthesis, 

 factors influencing plant growth, and the stimulative action of ultra- 

 violet radiation. Experimental evidence was obtained which indi- 

 cates the formation during photosynthesis of a material which 

 combines with or absorbs carbon dioxide. This compound, or 

 "intermediate," appears to be chlorophyllous in nature. Apparatus 

 and method were developed for the determination of small amounts 

 of chlorophyll, the sensitivity with a 5-centimeter absorption cell 

 being Vioooo milligram of chlorophyll. Further progress was made 

 in the investigation of suitable artificial illumination for the growth 

 of plants under controlled conditions. Studies were continued on 

 the relation of light to internode development. The effect of radia- 

 tion on the growth of excised roots and leaves was investigated. 

 Continuation of the studies on the stimulative action of ultraviolet 

 light showed that sublethal exposure of the green alga Stichococcus 

 hcuoillaris to certain short wave lengths of the ultraviolet caused 

 increased cell multiplication. This stimulative action is not transi- 

 tory but has persisted in the cultures over a period of 2 years. 

 Three papers by members of the staff on these researches were pub- 

 lished, and others were in press at the close of the year. 



THE ESTABLISHMENT 



The Smithsonian Institution was created by act of Congress in 

 1846, according to the terms of the will of James Smithson, of 

 England, who in 1826 bequeathed his property to the United States 

 of America "to found at Washington, under the name of the Smith- 

 sonian Institution, an establishment for the increase and diffusion 

 of knowledge among men." In receiving the property and accepting 

 the trust. Congress determined that the Federal Government was 

 without authority to administer the trust directly, and, therefore, 

 constituted an "establishment" whose statutory members are "the 

 President, the Vice President, the Chief Justice, and the heads of the 

 executive departments." 



THE BOARD OF REGENTS 



The only change in the Board of Regents during the year was 

 the appointment by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, 

 on April 12, 1939, of Representative William P. Cole, Jr., of Mary- 

 land, to fill the unexpired term of Representative T. Allan Golds- 

 borough, who resigned from the House of Representatives. 



The roll of Regents at the close of the year was as follows : Charles 

 Evans Hughes, Chief Justice of the United States, Chancellor ; John 



