THE SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION 579 



investigations of the physics of mechanical flight, and as early as 

 1896 built large successful flight models with which he conducted 

 flights of nearly a mile. His later-constructed, man-carrying ma- 

 chine unfortunately failed of a successful launching, but the device 

 was undoubtedly capable of flight, as was demonstrated in 1914, 

 when it was flown by Curtiss at Hammondsport. Doctor Langley's 

 interest in the preservation of rapidly disappearing forms of the 

 larger animals of the United States led to the establishment during 

 his administration of the National Zoological Park. 



SECRETARY CHARLES DOOLITTLE WALCOTT. ELECTED 1907 



The fourth secretary, Dr. Charles Doolittle Walcott, elected in 

 1907, had been in the service of the Geological Survey for over a 

 quarter of a century, and from 1891 its director. His researches had 

 covered many lines but had been preeminent in Cambrian paleontol- 

 ogy. Our knowledge of the earliest fossil forms of life is indelibly 

 associated with the name of Walcott. Always forward looking, he 

 had exercised a highly salutary and important influence on the 

 developments of forestry and reclamation, and had been the trusted 

 adviser of presidents and legislators. He was also the moving spirit 

 in the establishment of the Carnegie Institution, and has continued 

 for many years highly influential on its board of trustees. During 

 the World War, his services on numerous committees and in coordi- 

 nation of scientific activities were eminent. From 1917 to 1923, he 

 was president of the National Academy of Sciences, and in 1923 

 was president of the American Association for the Advancement of 

 Science. During Secretary Walcott's administration the National 

 Gallery of Art and the Freer Gallery were added as branches of the 

 Smithsonian Institution. 



THE NATIONAL MUSEUM 



Gradually, out of the collections which had been kept in the 

 Patent Office, the private collections of Smithson, and of appro- 

 priations of his money made by the Regents, and largely also 

 through the results of the great exploring expedition of Captain 

 Wilkes, there grew up a Smithsonian museum, one which was ex- 

 clusively cared for from the Smithson fund. Partly through the 

 greater activity of the Government surveys, partly through the 

 gifts of private individuals, and also through the valuable objects 

 presented to the United States Government by foreign nations at the 

 close of the Centennial at Philadelphia in 1876, there was brought 

 about the establishment of what is now known as the United States 

 National Museum of the Smithsonian Institution, which is under 



