408 ANNUAL REPORT SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION, 19 64 



Now let me close this brief survey of a fascinating new area of 

 physics in essentially the way I began. It is rare that scientists are 

 suddenly faced with a whole new state of matter which they had not 

 recognized before. The plasma physicist finds himself in this situation, 

 riding the leading edge of science. Tremendous endeavors are gen- 

 erated whose influence reaches into all areas of human affairs. The 

 sensation is exhilarating. 



