REPORT OF THE SECRETARY 13 



The plan of each of the eight alcoves is the same (see pis. 1 and 

 2. The name of the subject treated is stated at the top, followed 

 by a brief definition. Below this, a central theme consisting of a 

 diorama, working model, or other device illustrates strikingly the 

 significance of the particular subject. Flanking this on either side 

 of the alcove are exhibits to show as simply as possible what the 

 Smithsonian Institution does in each field. The number of objects 

 shown is kept small, labels are made as short and simple as possible, 

 and the whole attempt is to make the exhibits interesting and popular 

 and at the same time instructive. 



A valuable adjunct of the new exhibit is a separate room opening 

 off the main hall in which are exemplified the Institution's methods 

 of diffusing knowledge. One feature is a complete bound set of all 

 Smithsonian publications from 1846 to the present. The books 

 occupy 138 running feet of shelf space. Placards describe these 

 publications, as well as the Institution's educational radio programs, 

 press releases. International Exchange Service, exhibits, lectures, 

 correspondence, and library. An important feature of this room is 

 an information desk where visitors may obtain accurate information 

 on special phases of the Institution's work or exhibits. 



Visitors to this new exhibit for the last 5 months of the fiscal 

 year — from February 1 through June 30, 1941 — totaled 191,699. 

 Comparable figures for the preceding year are not available because 

 the building was closed at that time in preparation for the new 

 exhibit, but the total number of visitors for the corresponding months 

 of 1939 was 144,372. The present year therefore shows an increase 

 of 47,327 visitors, or 32 percent, over 1939. 



The committee in charge of the project has been kept in existence 

 to supervise maintenance of the exhibits and to incorporate changes 

 from time to time, for the intention is to keep the whole exhibit alive 

 and up to date. Wide and favorable notice has been given the ex- 

 hibit by journals and newspapers. 



TENTH ARTHTIR LECTURE 



The late James Arthur, of New York, in 1931 bequeathed to the 

 Smithsonian Institution a sum of money, part of the income from 

 which should be used for an annual lecture on the sun. 



The tenth annual Arthur lecture was given by Brian O'Brien, 

 professor of physiological optics at the University of Rochester, under 

 the title "Biological Effects of Solar Radiation on Higher Animals 

 and Man," in the auditorium of the National Museum on the evening 

 of February 25, 1941. The lecture will be published in a forthcoming 

 Smithsonian Report. 



