4 ANNUAL REPORT SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION, 1914. 



during the administration of Langley that the Astrophysical Observ- 

 atory was established to carry forward researches begun by him 

 .many years before. And the Xational Zoological Park, largely the 

 outgrowth of investigations on living animals under the direction 

 of Assistant Secretary Goode, was likewise founded during Langley 's 

 administration. To Langley himself the world owes a debt for his 

 discoveries of the principles of aerial navigation and for his demon- 

 stration to the world on May 6, 1896, by the successful flight of an 

 experimental machine, that an aeroplane heavier than air could be 

 propelled through the air by its own power. 



It would.be interesting, were this the proper place, to review some 

 of the results of the many important researches and explorations by 

 the Institution in the last 60 years. The influence of the Institu- 

 tion is world-wide; through its international exchange service alone 

 it has been in correspondence with more than 60,000 individuals and 

 learned societies in the United States and practically in every land 

 on the globe. During its entire existence there has been an unbroken 

 record of friendly intercourse with every agency devoted to the 

 encouragement of learning. 



The extent of the activities of the Institution is limited only by 

 the amount of the funds available. During recent years its private 

 income has been supplemented on several occasions by friends of 

 the Institution who have generously provided the means for carry- 

 ing on certain explorations and lines of research, but opportunities 

 for further important work constantly arise which must be declined 

 or temporarily held in abeyance. Some of the projects proposed are 

 such as could not properly be carried on through Government appro- 

 priation, but which the Smithsonian Institution could readily under- 

 take were the means available. 



The Institution was founded by the bequest of James Smithson, 

 and from time to time it has been the recipient of other bequests and 

 of gifts of various sums, the largest of which was the gift of Mr. 

 Thomas G. Hodgkins, establishing the Hodgkins Fund. The Smith- 

 sonian permanent fund now aggregates a little more than a million 

 dollars. A number of bequests, now awaiting settlement, will even- 

 tually result in considerably increasing the present fund. Among 

 these I may mention — 



Poore hequest. — By the terms of the will of the late George W. 

 Poore, of Lowell, Mass., who died December 17, 1910, the Smithson- 

 ian Institution becomes his residuary legatee. As mentioned in my 

 1910 report, the estate, estimated at about $40,000, is bequeathed 

 under the condition that the income of this sum should be added to 

 the principal until a total of $250,000 should have been reached, 

 and that then the income only should be used for the purposes for 

 which the Institution was created. 



