REPORT OF THE SECRETARY. 21 



LIBRARY. 



The main purpose of the libraiy of the Smithsonian Institution 

 has been to assemble a collection of periodicals and publications of 

 a scientific nature as well as the journals and other publications. 

 of the scientific institutions and learned societies of the world, the 

 whole to be a library of reference for research in the broadest 

 sense. In carrying out this policy an accumulation of over half a 

 million titles has been made, the main part of which is housed in 

 the Library of Congress with the designation of the Smithsonian 

 Deposit of the Library of Congress. In addition to this main part 

 of the Smithsonian library there are maintained a number of smaller 

 libraries at the various branches of the Institution, the National 

 Museum library, the Bureau of American Ethnology library, the 

 Astrophysical Observatory library, and the National Zoological Park 

 librar}^. In the various offices of the Institution and the Museum 

 sectional libraries of technical works in all branches of science are 

 maintained for the use of the scientific staff. There are 35 of these 

 sectional technical libraries. 



The accessions to the libraries of the Institution and its branches 

 during the year aggregated more than 9,000 volumes, parts of 

 volumes, and pamphlets. Among important gifts during the year 

 was a first consignment of 561 volumes and 293 pamphlets, part of 

 the botanical library of Dr. John Donnell Smith, of Baltimore; the 

 whole of which, amounting to 1,500 volumes, he has offered to the 

 Institution. 



In the Museum library, 1,572 volumes and 3,556 pamphlets were 

 accessioned during the year, among them the scientific library of Dr. 

 Edgar A. Mearns, associate in zoology, who died last fall. This 

 collection is rich in works on mammals, birds, and plants. Through 

 the continued generosity of Dr. William H. Dall, honorary curator 

 of mollusks, the sectional library of the division of mollusks v has 

 been enriched by the addition of 307 titles during the year. 



RECEPTION IN HONOR OF FRENCH SCIENTISTS. 



On the evening of June 14, under the auspices of the National 

 Academy of Sciences, a reception was held in the Smithsonian build- 

 ing for the members of the French Scientific Mission to the United 

 States. Prof. Charles Fabry told of what France is doing in the war ; 

 Commander Bridge spoke of Great Britain's work in submarine war- 

 fare; and Sir Ernest Rutherford sketched the situation as England 

 sees it. President Walcott, of the National Academy of Sciences, and 

 Mrs. Walcott were assisted by Lieut. Maurice Paternot, Prof. Charles 

 Fabry, and Prof. Henri Abraham in receiving the guests. 



