EEPORT OF THE SECRETARY. 15 



being published in several of the leading scientific journals of this 

 country and Europe.* 



Up to June 30, 1894, 259 memoirs, printed and manuscript, have been 

 received in connection with the competition, representing correspond- 

 ents in the United States, Mexico, England, Scotland, iSTorway, Den- 

 mark, Eussia (including Finland), France, Belgium, Germany, Austria- 

 Hungary, Servia, Italy, and British India. 



legs sont de nature h Taider dans sa mission gen6rale : " le developpement et la propagation du savoir 

 parnii les hoinmes." C'est ainsi, par exemple, que I'lnstitut a accepts et g6r6 un fonds qui, du uom 

 (1(1 sou donateur, est appelr "Ic fouds Tlodgliins " et qui a 6te donue expressrniout pour IVivciriscr "le 

 drv(lo]i]ii'iiH'iit ft la jirdpauatidu d'uiie connaissauce plus precise sur le sujet lic la nature et des pro- 

 ]iiirtts dc lair atiiiosplu'rique par rajiport an bieu etro liuuiain," somme (]ui csl e^alcuieutdciiosee au 

 Tresor. D'autresdous out ete accepfes et sont geres pour etre aft'ectt's h d'autres objets specilies. 



Le sifege de I'lustitut est il Wasbingtou, mats sa s]ilii;ie d'action s'fetend en dehors des Etats-Unis 

 de diverses famous, et surtout au moyen du systeine do lorrespoudance, dont il a ete parK plus haut. 

 Le nombre des correspondauts s'eleve actuellemeut a 24,0U0 environ etlui permet non seulement do 

 donuer, mais encore de recevoir des communications des bommes de savoir de tons les pays. 



Par ce moyen et par d'autres encore, I'lnstitut a reuui ;\ Washington, uno bibliotbeque speciale de 

 livres traitant de I'histoire des arts, des sciences, des decouvertes et des inventions. Elle coiuprend 

 300,000 ouvrages, dont la plus grande partie a et6, par permission du Congres, deposee a la Bibliotbeque 

 Nationale, oil ils pouveiit etreconsultes avec les autres ricbesses de la i5ii)liotheque. 



En dehors de cette sphere d'action dont les moyons lui sont fournis ])ar les fonds particuliers en 

 question et dont le (iouvernement a bien voulu assumer la tutelle, I'lnstitut a ete sp^cialementcommis 

 par la Legislatuio a la charge de certains departemeuts on certaiucs divisions du Gouvernement, pour 

 le maintien dts(inels le Congr6s a, de temps a autre, vote des credits .spcciaus. C'est ainsi qu'ont 6t6 

 l)laces sons la direction de I'lnstitut, le Musee des ^tats -Unis, le Departenient des ^changes lutorna- 

 tionaux, le Dfepartement d'Ethnologie, le Pare Katioual de Zoologie, et I'Observatoire Astro-physique. 



Tous ces etablissements sont dirigcs par le Secretaire I'eriJctuel sous le controle du Couseil 

 d' Administratiou. Le Secretaire actuel est Mr. S. P. Langley, a qui devront etre adressees, i Wash- 

 ington, toutes communications. 



♦SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION. 



hodgkins prizes. 



Washington, , 1894. 



Dear Sir: I beg leave to iuform you that the time within which papers may be 

 siibuiitted in competition for the Hodgliius fnncl prizes of tlie Smitlisouian Institu- 

 tion, for essays in regard to the nature or properties of atmospheric air, has been 

 extended from July 1 to December 31, 1894. This action has been taken for the 

 reason that many of the circulars seem to have failed to reacli the persons for whom 

 they were intended. 



In order that all competitors may have the advantage of this extension of time, 

 the Institution will, upon request, take pleasure in returning papers already sub- 

 mitted; all papers being subject to the general condition requiring delivery in 

 Washington City before January 1, 1895. 



It is preferred that the name and address of each competitor be attached to the 

 manuscript ; it is permitted, however, that anyone who desires it may send his name 

 and address in such a form that they cau be detached from the mannscript, which 

 he may identify by means of a motto. 



The manuscripts of unsuccessful candidates will be returned, if desired; but the 

 proprietorship of papers to which one of the prizes has been award'^d will rest with 

 the Institution, Avhich only desires to give them a Avido i)ublicity ; and no copyright 

 privileges are in this case to be expected by the author. 



Papers which have been already published will not be accepted in competition 

 for the prizes, but may be eligible for the medal. This medal will be awarded in 

 the same way that medals are usually awarded by the principal scientific societies, 

 the medalists being chosen from all investigators known to the committee of award 

 and not necessarily from those alone who have submitted paiiers. 



It is requested that all packages, manuscript or printed, intended for competition 

 be marked "Hodgkins competition" upon the outside of the wrapper, and be 

 addressed to Mr. S. P. Langley, Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, Washing- 

 ton City, U. S. A. 



Very respectfully, S. P. Langley, 



Secretary. 



