REPORT OF THE SECRETARY 9 



and, as a rule, economic unimportance of this family, it has been 

 much neglected. 



The entomologist will make an intensive search for specimens in 

 West Indian anthills. Several species are commensal with ants and, 

 because of this way of life, have developed curious forms. Some of 

 them seem to be kept by the ants as " domestic animals." They are 

 housed, protected, and fed by their hosts because of the body secre- 

 tion, which is a favorite food of the hosts. Some, on the other 

 hand, seem to live with the ants entirely for the purpose of feeding 

 on them and on their young. Even these are tolerated by their 

 hosts, who apparently have no realization of how they are being 

 victimized. 



Staphylinid beetles are also numerous in fungous deposits and in 

 decaying vegetable matter. They remain hidden much of the time, 

 so that little information is available on their habits and life his- 

 tories. They are found over most of the world. Large collections 

 have been made in Europe and in the United States, and the Na- 

 tional Museum has a considerable representation of the different 

 species. The West Indies constitute largely unexplored territory, 

 so far as these beetles are concerned, and it is probable that many 

 new species will be identified from Dr. Blackwelder's collection. 



After completing his work in the West Indies, Dr. Blackwelder 

 will study the large collections in the British Museum. 



FOURTH ARTHUR LECTURE 



Under a bequest received in 1931 from the late James Arthur, of 

 New York City, a lecture is delivered each year at the Institution on 

 some phase of the study of the sun. 



The fourth annual Arthur Lecture was given in the auditorium of 

 the National Museum on December 18, 1934, by Dr. Walter S. Adams, 

 director of the Mount Wilson Observatory, on " The Sun as a Typi- 

 cal Star." Dr. Adams, one of the foremost astronomers of the world, 

 has made original researches on the place of the sun among the 

 billions of stars of the galaxy. The lecture will be published in the 

 general appendix to the Smithsonian Report for 1935. 



SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION EXHIBIT AT THE CALIFORNIA PACIFIC 

 INTERNATIONAL EXPOSITION, 19 35 



The Smithsonian exhibit at the California Pacific International 

 Exposition, which opened at San Diego May 29, 1935, was prepared 

 under the direction of Carl W. Mitman, head curator of arts and 

 industries, National Museum. It is one of a group visualizing activ- 

 ities of the major departments and independent establishments of 



