58 
enabled me to see most of the type specimens which I had pre- 
viously been unable to interpret, so that I definitely expect to 
complete my study of the group, which has extended over a 
period of years, in the coming spring months. Material of these 
plants has been received in large quantities for identification 
from various universities and individuals. 
A treatment of the ferns of the Galapagos Islands and Cocos 
Islands has been completed. For some time I have been en- 
gaged in a study of the plants of Middle Tennessee, an area which 
will soon be greatly changed from the wild-life point of view by 
the industrial developments now going on in that region. In 
addition the vegetation of Long Island and of the vicinity of 
New York are being worked on from time to time. 
ECONOMIC PLANTS 
By Ratrepy H. CHENEY 
1. Comparatwe Caffeine and Coffee Pharmacology.—Previous 
studies of the effect of the alkaloid and the beverage upon the 
small intestine were extended to an investigation of their effects 
upon the mammalian colon. The summer work was conducted 
at the Marine Biological Laboratory, Woods Hole, Massachusetts. 
2. A taxonomic study and an investigation of the flavor 
qualities of the native beverages of North America was begun. 
REPORT OF THE CURATOR OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION 
FOR 1937 
Dr. C.. STUART GAGER. DirEcToR: 
Sir: I submit herewith the report of the work of this depart- 
ment for the year 1937. 
ATTENDANCE AT THE GARDEN 
Phe figure for the total attendance at the 
Garden during 1937—1,691,835 entirely justifies our analysis 
in the report for 1936. It will be recalled that there was a 
Entrance Gates. 
