ANNUAL REPORT OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES REVIEW OF THE YEAR 1926-27 The sixty-fourth year of the National Academy of Sciences, ending in 1927, finds the institution filling a rôle of larger usefulness. During the last two years the academy has undertaken the promotion of knowledge in several fields through organized effort. These new enterprises in charge of committees of the academy include (a) the survey of the existing status of fundamental researches underlying the scientific development of forestry and reforestation, and the promotion of research in that important field; (b) a study of the possibilities of oceanographic investigations; (c) the development and more successful realization of the scientific educational resources inherent in some of our great national parks; and (d) the thorough examination of the present status as to publication of scientific papers and memoirs under the auspices of the different scientific societies and in scientific periodicals, and the nature, extent, and distribution of the evident urgent need for aid in the provision of adequate publication of the results of scientific work. Under the direction of the committee on forestry a careful review has been made of the research situation in forestry both in Europe and in America, by three experts-one in the descriptive and empirical investigations in forestry, one in the biological sciences fundamental to forestry, and one in education in forestry with particular reference to the training of men for research. There is every reason to expect that the report of the committee will contain definite suggestions and recommendations important to the future of forestry in America. In the effort toward a more effective exposition of the geological phenomena and principles illustrated on a stupendous scale in some of our national parks, including particularly the Grand Canyon and Yellowstone, a committee is planning a series of demonstrative exhibits in situ within visual range of an observation station and small museum, to be constructed at Yavapai Point, at the Grand Canyon, in addition to a very limited number of exhibits to be housed in the building. The accomplishment of this task, in which the Geological Society of America and a committee of the American Museums Association are participating, requires further research study of certain chapters in the geological history of the region in order that the sci entific and inspirational lessons of the canyon may be more satisfactorily grasped by the intelligent visitor. The cost of the work of the academy committee in the preparation of exhibits is funded to the extent of $6,000 by the Carnegie Corporation through the Carnegie Institution. Consequent to the reports of progress submitted by the committee on publication in the course of its exhaustive study of the present situation as to publication of meritorious scientific manuscripts, the General Education Board allocated $30,000 to the national academy in trust to be expended in accordance with recommendations of the above-named committee in the amount of $10,000 annually for three years in aiding scientific societies and periodicals. The funds at present available to the academy for use in aid of research are confined to a number of separate endowments, which, though well invested, have, as shown by the treasurer's report (see p. 76) during the year ending June 30, 1927, yielded but $12,147.38 for allocation by the respective trustees or committees in charge of the "funds." The reports of these committees show that $8,370 was, after full consideration of applications and cases, expended as grants on their recommendation, with the approval of the academy, in aid of 27 projects. Of the latter, 8 projects lie in the fields of astronomy and mathematics; 2 in physics and chemistry, broadly viewed; 10 in the fields of biology and oceanography; 1 in physiology; 1 in anthropology and psychology; and 5 in geology and paleontology. The average grant approximates $310, the smallest for the year being $50, and the largest $500. In this way the academy has been able through its small trust funds to come to the aid of men struggling to carry through scientific investigations, the cost of which is beyond their means. It is greatly to be regretted, however, that on account of the limited total amount available to the academy for such aid, it is necessary to dole out the money in small amounts without power to effectively advance major and well-organized enterprises requiring larger funding. The result is that it is necessary for the committees or for the administrative agencies of the academy to solicit funds in certain cases for some of the most deserving and important projects, especially for those in emergency situations. At that, however, it is further to be regretted that the funds available for distribution in small grants are so far inadequate to meet the large number of appeals. The trustees in charge of the effort to secure funds for the support of research in pure science on a larger scale and with broader scope report encouraging progress. The Agassiz medal was, on recommendation of the medal committee awarded to Dr. Max Weber, emeritus professor of zoology at the University of Amsterdam and director and editor of the scientific results of the Siboga expeditions, in recognition of his distinguished work, carried on through many years, in the field of oceanography. During the last calendar year the Proceedings of the academy increased in volume and breadth of interest, 174 papers, embracing 783 pages, having been issued in volume 12. Up to the annual meeting in April four numbers of volume 13 had appeared, with a total of 265 pages. Most of these papers were contributed by members of the National Academy of Sciences or members and fellows of the National Research Council. That these Proceedings are filling a need for information in such brief form is proved by the increasing demand. for the individual numbers and for the volumes. Of the scientific memoirs of the academy, volume 21 and part of 22 have been issued. The series of biographical memoirs has been enlarged by the publication of one volume containing 14 biographies and bibliographies. A number of short biographical sketches of deceased members have been printed in the annual report of the academy for the immediate information of members. The membership of the academy has been increased by the election of 15 members and 3 foreign associates during the year. Meanwhile the academy has lost 11 members by death. At the end of the year the number of members was 230, the number of honorary members 2, and the number of foreign associates 44. The apparent diminution in rate of net growth of the organization during the last two years, in spite of the growth of research in America and the increasing number of young scientific investigators, is due to the operating effects of certain changes of the constitution and rules affecting the mode of nomination. The work of the National Research Council, the agency of the academy for the promotion of science outside of the individual efforts of the academy members, constitutes a record of achievement separately described in another part of this volume. The outstanding fitness of the council for this work, its demonstrated capacity for making surveys of different fields of scientific research and for mobilizing adequately trained and experienced men for work on different problems or in different provinces of science are each year more and more evident. Equally notable are the growing confidence and disposition on the part both of the research workers and research institutions, on the one hand, and the supporting agencies, on the other, to cooperate with the research council. It will be noted that the different fellowship boards in the National Research Council are now responsible for the award and scientific administration of approximately 150 fellowships granted to post-doctorate men and women for training and research in the fields of chemistry, physics, mathematics, biology, medical research, and anthropology, the annual |