698 



NATURE 



[January 27, 192 1 



The Institute of Human Palaeontology, Paris. 



ON December 23, 1920, the Institute of Human 

 Palaeontology in Paris was formally de- 

 clared open by His Serene Highness Prince Albert 

 of Monaco, its founder. The interest and active 

 participation of the Prince in more than one 

 branch of research have long been highly appre- 

 ciated by the scientific world. The study of 

 marine biology and oceanography already owed 

 much to his valuable assistance and support when, 

 more than twenty years ago, a visit to the Grim- 

 aldi Cave at Mentone first turned his attention to 

 prehistoric archaeology. Since that time all the 

 more important cave explorations in Southern 

 France and Northern Spain, which have enabled 



ing, which was nearing completion when war 

 broke out, contains a large amphitheatre for lec- 

 tures and meetings, a spacious library, and a 

 number of rooms fitted up as laboratories, for 

 examining and photographing the material fur- 

 nished by excavation. Collections of specimens 

 from the sites which have already been explored, 

 as well as reproductions of the paintings and draw- 

 ings found on the walls of the French and Spanish 

 palajolithic caves, are exhibited in the building. 

 An endowment of two million francs is attached 

 to the Prince of Monaco's foundation, and an 

 additional sum has been promised should it be 

 rendered necessary by any further increase in the 



Fig. I. — The Institute of Human Palaeontology. Front elevation. 



French archaeologists to throw a flood of light on 

 the character, art, life, and environment of pre- 

 historic man, have been carried out under his 

 auspices, at his expense, and frequently on lines 

 suggested by him, while he has been respon;5ible 

 . for the publication of the results in a manner and 

 with a wealth of illustration which are not likely to 

 be surpassed. Now, by the foundation of this in- 

 stitute as a headquarters in France for the system- 

 atic investigation of problems related to the origin 

 and development of man, the Prince of Monaco has 

 ensured the prosecution of this branch of scientific 

 research in the most favourable conditions. 



The Institute of Human Palaeontology is situ- 

 ated in the Boulevard Saint Marcel. The build- 

 NO. 2674, VOL. 106] 



cost of living. The institute is under the direction 

 of M. Marcelin Boule, assisted by a council con- 

 sisting of MM. Salomon Reinach, Dislfere, \'er- 

 neau, and Louis Mayer. 



Among those who were present at the opening 

 ceremony were the President of the French Re- 

 public, M. Millerand, H.I.H. Prince Roland 

 Bonaparte, M. Honnorat, then Minister of Public 

 Instruction, the Belgian and Italian .Ambassadors, 

 the Argentine and Persian Ministers, M. Lacroix, 

 secretary of the Academy of Sciences, the presi- 

 dent of the .Academy of Medicine, and representa- 

 tives of the College of Medicine, the College de 

 France, the Pasteur Institute, and the various 

 scientific societies. 



