REPORT OF THE SECRETARY. 13 
ABERODROMIC RESEARCHES. 
Although the experimental work in aerodromics begun by Secre- 
tary Langley is not now being carried on at the Institution, it can 
not but be gratifying to note the fact that this subject, which was 
placed upon a solid foundation by the research work of Mr. Langley, 
is more and more engaging the attention of physicists and engineers, 
military establishments, and students throughout the world, and that 
the impetus given to it by my predecessor is everywhere recognized. 
This Institution has by no means abandoned its interest in the sub- 
ject, and the collection of books and pamphlets brought together 
here is maintained as a separate collection and rendered accessible to 
students. I have made a special grant to Mr. C. M. Manly, who was 
associated with Mr. Langley in this work, for the completion of a 
memoir bringing the experiments up to 1905, and another for the 
preparation of a bibliography on the subject, which it is hoped may 
be useful to students. 
Dr. Alexander Graham Bell, a Regent of the Institution, and a 
distinguished student of many natural problems, is engaged upon 
aerodromic experiments which it is expected will prove useful and 
important. He and others have used, it is hoped with profit, the 
material in the collections gathered here. The prominence of the 
Institution in this subject has made the National Museum the natural 
place of deposit for the original types of different forms of flying 
machines, and there is no doubt but that the most important types of 
models of the early attempts to solve this great subject will be found 
in the collections here. 
The engine of the large aerodrome was displayed in New York at 
the exhibition of the Aero Club in December, 1906. 
INVESTIGATIONS UNDER THE HODGKINS FUND. 
STUDY OF ATMOSPHERIC AIR IN RELATION TO MANKIND. 
Investigations on subjects of general hygienic interest, such as 
have been promoted since the beginning of the administration of the 
Hodgkins fund, continue to receive encouragement. Publications 
are issued in this connection, and communications addressed to the 
Institution on subjects which the fund may properly aid, do not fail 
to receive attention. The Hodgkins gold medal, which is bestowed 
for important contributions to our knowledge of the nature and 
properties of atmospheric ‘air, or for practical applications of our 
existing knowledge of them to the welfare of mankind, is a testi- 
monial not only to the wishes of the founder of the fund, but also an 
expression of the interest of the Institution in this regard. 
