Exhibits of the Smithsonian Institution

Annotation

Whilst the greatest effort has been made to ensure the quality of this text, due to the historical nature of this content, in some rare cases there may be minor issues with legibility. Many important researches and expeditions, particularly during recent years, have also been aided by special trusts provided by private patrons of the Institution.<br><br>Several bureaus or branches, developed through its early activities, are administered by the Institution with the aid of annual Congressional appropriations amounting to about $600,000. These include the United States National Museum, and the National Gallery of Art; the International Exchange Service; the Bureau of American Ethnology; the National Zoological Park; the Astrophysical Observatory; and the United States Regional Bureau of the International Catalogue of Scientific Literature.<br><br>The Smithsonian is not an educational institution of the nature of a university with a corps of professors and students, and yet its educational functions are of the highest ranks, for the members of its scientific staff and its many collaborators are constantly engaged in investigations in which students of science in all its branches participate; and the Museum collections and the collection of animals in the Zoological Park are a constant source of original information to specialists and to groups of pupils from public and private schools in Washington and elsewhere.<br><br>For the Increase of Knowledge the Institution aids investigators by making limited grants for research and exploration. It advises the Government in many matters of scientific importance. It cooperates with all departments of the Government and with many scientific and historical national organizations.<br><br>From the Hodgkins Fund, established by Thomas G. Hodgkins of New York, the income of $100,000 is devoted by direction of the donor to the increase and diffusion of more exact knowledge in regard to the nature and properties of atmospheric air in connection with the welfare of mankind. Numerous investigations on the composition of expired air and its effects upon animal life,&