30 ANNUAL. BEPORT SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION, 1924 



The conclusion was reached in the spring, as a result of careful 

 study of radio programs, that the Institution and Station WRC 

 could to their mutual advantage give a series of informative talks 

 on special scientific topics. This led to the establishment of a regu- 

 lar Smithsonian period every Wednesday at 6.15 p. m. The Car- 

 negie Institution of Washington and the various scientific bureaus of 

 the Government whose work is more or less complementary to that 

 of the Smithsonian cooperated in making possible so ambitious a 

 project. The series was inaugurated on April 9 by a talk by Mr. 

 Clark on " The giants of the animal world." This was followed by 

 10 others, equally instructive, the last on "Atmospheric electricity," 

 by Dr. S. J. Mauchly, of the Carnegie Institution, given in coopera- 

 tion with the Smithsonian on June 18, 1924. Altogether 18 items 

 were broadcast by the Smithsonian Institution during the year, 

 18 different individuals participating, of whom 7 appeared under 

 the auspices of or in cooperation with the Smithsonian and the 

 remaining 11 as members of the staff, 7 being from the Museum. 

 Those who participated in this program are few in number, how- 

 ever, as compared with those who contributed toward making it a 

 success by furnishing information, suggestions, and encouragement. 

 The series will, it is expected, be resumed in the early autumn. 



Lack of space makes it necessary at times to refuse objects ten- 

 dered for the collections, often where the Museum would like to 

 encourage the intended donor to bring to the Museum not only his 

 treasures but his problems also, for the Museum renders service in 

 many ways. By its exhibition collections it conveys a message to 

 those citizens from all parts of the land who visit their Capital; 

 by its reserve series it affords assistance to workers in all lines here 

 represented; by its system of distribution of duplicate specimens 

 for educational purposes it aids the coming generation all over 

 the land; by its correspondence it conveys desired information in 

 response to specific inquiries in many lines; by its publications it 

 extends the boundaries of learning; and now, by the radio its 

 service in diffusing knowledge has been extended immeasurably. 



COLLECTIONS 



The total number of specimens received -by the Museum during 

 the year was 362,942, exceeding numerically the receipts of the 

 previous year by over 70 per cent. Not only in numbers is this 

 year's increase notable, but in scientific value as well. The incre- 

 ment is particularly rich in type specimens and in other specially 

 desired material, filling gaps and otherwise strengthening the col- 

 lections in many lines. Additional material to the extent of 1,187 



