PR I<: FACE 



The ])urpose of the Smithsonian Institution as stated by its founder, 

 James Smithson, is " the increase and ditTusion of knowledge among 

 men." The first part of this dual mission is accomplished through 

 research and exploration; the second part through 12 series of pub- 

 lications. Because the research of the Institution is wholly in the 

 field of pure science, the large majority of these publications are 

 technical in character, being therefore of interest ])rimarily to the 

 student and the specialist. Besides occasional works in its regular 

 series which prove to have a popular appeal, two Smithsonian publi- 

 cations are issued, however, for the definite ])urpose of attracting 

 the general reader to matters of scientific interest. These are the 

 Smithsonian Reports with their general appendixes of authoritative 

 articles reviewing in non-technical language the yearly advance along 

 the scientific front, and the annual Smithsonian Exploration and 

 Field-Work pamphlets started in 191 2 to inform the public of Smith- 

 scjuian activities in scientific ex|)loration. It is the hope of the Insti- 

 tution that this present pamphlet, covering the year 1927, will lend 

 the reader something of the fascination of scientific field-work, and 

 also illustrate the wide scope of Smithsonian eft'orts to increase 

 knowledge. 



In fairness to the Institution, it should be added that it has almost 

 no unrestricted funds for field-work. Practically all of the expedi- 

 tions sent out each year are made possible either through the help of 

 generous friends and patrons of the Institution, or through coopera- 

 tive arrangements with other scientific agencies whereby costs and 

 collections are shared. 



W. P. True, 

 Editor, Smithsonian Institution. 



