EXPLORATIONS AND FIELD-WORK OF THE SMITH- 

 SONIAN INSTITUTION IN 191 5 



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 1915 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 efifects 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. W'alcott, 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 



