EXPLORATIONS AND FIELD-WORK OF THE SMITH- 
SONTAN INSTITUTION IENarors 
The Smithsonian Institution every year initiates or cooperates with 
other institutions in numerous expeditions to various parts of the 
world in the interest of theoretical and practical science. Accounts 
of the principal expeditions engaged in during the year I9I5 are 
presented herein chiefly in the words of the investigators themselves, 
while those of more than routine importance are signed with the 
names of the writers. The various lines of research include geology, 
zoology, botany, anthropology, physics, and astrophysics. 
Of the several branches of the Institution, only the United States 
National Museum, the Bureau of American Ethnology, and the Astro- 
physical Observatory are mentioned in this account as having engaged 
in field-work. The National Museum has no specific funds for this 
purpose, but whenever possible embraces opportunities to take part 
in natural history investigations and to add to its collections and 
exhibition series. Researches in American ethnology consist largely 
of field-work among the Indian tribes, detailed accounts of which 
will be found in the annual reports of the Bureau. The Astrophysical 
Observatory undertakes expeditions here and abroad for the purpose 
of observations in connection with its regular work of studying the 
physical properties of the sun and their effects on the earth. 
The results of these explorations and field-work have been to in- 
crease scientific knowledge and to yield valuable material for the 
collections and study series of the National Museum and the Bureau 
of American Ethnology. The Institution is forced every year to 
forego numerous opportunities to participate in other expeditions 
owing to its limited means. 
GEOLOGICAL EXPLORATIONS IN THE ROCKY MOUNTAINS 
In continuation of previous work in the Rocky Mountain region, 
Dr. Charles D. Walcott, Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, 
was engaged in field investigation in the Yellowstone Park area, and 
from there north into the Belt Mountains east of Helena, Montana. 
The work in the Yellowstone Park was carried on with two objects 
in view: 
SMITHSONIAN MISCELLANEOUS COLLECTIONS, VOL. 66, No. 3 
