R E UORT OF. T 1 1 E S E< ! BETA RY. ] V> 



AERODROMIC RESEARCHES. 



Although the experimental work in aerodromics begun by Secre- 

 tary Langley is not now being carried on at the Institution, it can 

 not but be gratifying to note the fact that this subject, which was 

 placed upon a solid foundation by the research work of Mr. Langley. 

 is more and more engaging the attention of physicists and engineers, 

 military establishments, and students throughout the world, and that 

 the impetus given to it by my predecessor is everywhere recognized. 

 This Institution has by no means abandoned its interest in the sub- 

 ject, and the collection of books and pamphlets brought together 

 here is maintained as a separate collection and rendered accessible to 

 students. I have made a special grant to Mr. C. M. Manly, who was 

 associated with Mr. Langley in this work, for the completion of a 

 memoir bringing the experiments up to 1905, and another for the 

 preparation of a bibliography on the subject, which it is hoped may 

 be useful to students. 



Dr. Alexander Graham Bell, a Regent of the Institution, and a 

 distinguished student of many natural problems, is engaged upon 

 aerodromic experiments which it is expected will prove useful and 

 important. He and others have used, it is hoped with profit, the 

 material in the collections gathered here. The prominence of the 

 Institution in this subject has made the National Museum the natural 

 place of deposit for the original types of different forms of flying- 

 machines, and there is no doubt but that the most important types of 

 models of the early attempts to solve this great subject will be found 

 in the collections here. 



The engine of the large aerodrome was displayed in Xew York at 

 the exhibition of the Aero Club in December, lOOfi. 



INVESTIGATIONS UNDER THE HODGKINS FUND. 



STUDY OP ATMOSPHERIC AIR IN RELATION TO MANKIND. 



Investigations on subjects of general hygienic interest, such as 

 have been promoted since the beginning of the administration of the 

 Hodgkins fund, continue to receive encouragement. Publications 

 are issued in this connection, and communications addressed to the 

 Institution on subjects which the fund may properly aid, do not fail 

 to receive attention. The Hodgkins gold medal, which is bestowed 

 for important contributions to our knowledge of the nature and 

 properties of atmospheric air, or for practical applications of our 

 existing knowledge of them to the welfare of mankind, is a testi- 

 monial not only to the wishes of the founder of the fund, but also an 

 expression of the interest of the Institution in this regard. 



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