REPORT OF THE SECRETARY 13 



Eight new species of frogs, lizards, and snakes have been described 

 by Dr. Smith from the collection. In addition, Dr. E. H. Taylor 

 has described two other species of frogs from the collection. 



SMITHSONIAN MAIN HALL EXHIBITS 



In my last annual report it was stated that I had appointed a 

 committee, consisting of Messrs. Mitman, chairman, Foshag, Fried- 

 mann, Setzler, and True, all of the Institution's staff, to recommend 

 plans for exhibits in the Smithsonian main hall to illustrate all 

 the work of the Institution and to make clear to visitors the relation- 

 ship between the parent Institution and its various branches. The 

 committee met weekly, beginning in the summer of 1939, and its 

 first recommendation was for the complete redecoration of the hall, 

 using a plastic paint that would give the effect of old stone. The 

 exhibits and bookcases previously in the main hall were removed, 

 and new walls were constructed at the east and west ends of the 

 hall to conceal the steel bookstacks constructed many years ago for 

 the use of the Smithsonian Library. The redecoration was com- 

 pleted in the spring of 1940. 



The committee's recommendation as to the exhibits themselves, sub- 

 mitted on March 30, 1940, was approved by me, and the committee 

 was instructed to carry out the plans, the entire exhibit to be ready 

 in time for the next annual meeting of the Board of Regents on 

 January 17, 1941. 



The plan proposed by the committee comprised eight alcoves and 

 four quadrants to be constructed completely around the hall, leaving 

 the central aisle clear for the easy circulation of visitors. The eight 

 alcoves are to portray in popular form the work of the Institution 

 in astronomy, geology, biology, radiation and organisms, physical 

 anthropology, cultural anthropology, engineering and industries, and 

 art. The four quadrants, enclosing the central area of the hall, will 

 illustrate the scope of Smithsonian activities, the National Zoological 

 Park, history, and the organization and branches of the Institution. 

 The former children's room, adjoining the main hall on the south, 

 will be used to illustrate the Institution's work in the diffusion of 

 knowledge. 



At the close of the year, construction of the backgrounds for the 

 exhibits was well under way, and the details of the exhibits themselves 

 were being worked out for prompt installation when the construction 

 work is completed. 



NINTH ARTHUR LECTURE 



The Arthur lecture, under the auspices of the Institution, was pro- 

 vided for in the will of the late James Arthur, of New York, who in 

 1931 left to the Smithsonian Institution a sum of money, part of the 



