and at night a dinner was given in the hall of the university, at which there was a generous expression of good feeling and a striking display of oratory.

great assembly is the more significant because of its spontaneous character. For this demonstration of confidence, good will, and fraternal solidarity I want to thank you, not only in the name of the delegation of the United States of America, but also on behalf of that larger body of scientists and investigators who are imbued with the same spirit that has actuated this congress, and who now look forward to the privilege of welcoming to our shores the men upon whose efforts the progress of this continent depends. We can not hope to surpass the hospitality of this great republic, but we can assure you that the welcome will be no less sincere, and the determination to place every possible facility at your disposal, no less effective than has been the case here in Chile.

Viewed in its proper perspective, this congress has been one of the most extraordinary assemblages of modern times; more extraordinary in many respects than either The Hague or the Pan-American conferences. That a large group of men, representatives of every section of a great continent, should be able to get together and, casting aside all petty prejudices, freely and frankly exchange the results of their careful investigations and ripe experience, is not only a tribute to the culture of this continent, but is also an indication of the extent to which our ideas have advanced beyond those which we inherited from our European mother countries.

The fact that we have met to place the results of the best scientific thought at the disposal of all the countries here represented, and through them at the service of the civilized world, contains a lesson of deep and lasting import which no other assembly of modern times has been able so clearly to impress upon the civilized world.

The historian of the intellectual development of the American continent, in reviewing the work of these assemblies, will probably give to the Santiago congress the honor of having clearly demonstrated that the republics of the American continent, because of their geographical position; because of the peculiar conditions under which they were settled; and because of the special racial problems which they present, are confronted by a series of problems distinctively American. The mere fact of the existence of these problems involves an obligation not only to ourselves, but to the civilized world to concentrate our efforts upon their solution. Through their solution we can make that contribution to the progress of mankind which the world has the right to expect of us.

We can best hope to do this by carrying to our respective countries the spirit that has hovered over this congress-that of service in its broadest and highest sense. This spirit of service must be made the keynote of our national and of our international relations. The republics of the American continent must demonstrate to the civilized world that the willingness and determination to be of service to our fellow-men is the corner stone of a philosophy which the nations of this continent are determined to make the guiding principle of their conduct.

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I can see a time, not far distant, when with each conquest of science the question will immediately arise in the mind of every American, How can. these results be made of service to the democracies of this continent? -a time when in every field of endeavor the American republics may call upon one another for counsel in the solution of their problems, and be certain to receive the best expert advice. Then, and not till then, shall we have developed a real continental spirit; then, and not till then, shall we have fulfilled the obligations

The social features of the congress were most noteworthy. The President of the Republic, besides giving the usual official reception, entertained the foreign delegates at dinner, invitations being extended to a limited number each day during the congress. Receptions were given under government auspices at the principal social clubs. The American minister, the French, Brazilian, and Argentine ministers, and numerous prominent citizens entertained the delegates. Members of the American and other delegations were guests at a number of charming haciendas in the vicinity of Santiago; and the American delegation entertained at dinner members of the organization committee, chairmen of various national delegations, and others. Visits were made to institutions of learning, museums, art galleries, hospitals, and manufacturing establishments, and no effort was spared by the officials of the congress to make the visit of the foreign delegates enjoyable and profitable. The writer wishes to express his personal appreciation of these courtesies and attentions, and to say that he approached South America somewhat oppressed by the thought that he should find himself a stranger in a strange land, but that, on the contrary, there was not a day of the two months spent in the Latin-American countries on which he was not made to feel entirely at home and among appreciative and generous friends.

The universal feeling at the close of the congress was that the meeting had fully justified the plans of its projectors; and the story is not entirely told when it is stated that the elaborate programme, covering nearly every branch of science, was successfully carried out. The more thoughtful find in this and in kindred assemblages much that is of significance for the future of the American republics. This congress was a decided step in the direction of bringing about a better understanding among the nations represented. It was a step toward a fuller appreciation of the common interests of each and every American nation. It was an appreciable forward step in the development of the means and methods of promoting the common interests of the continent. It was a step toward making the experience and the accumulated wisdom of each people represented the experience and wisdom of all. In the section of pedagogy the best that has been developed in the theory and practice of teaching was made the common property of all the American republics. In the section of sanitary and medical science the latest achievements of each nation in the battle with disease were made familiar to every participant. In the section of agriculture and zootechnics steps were taken in the direction of properly utilizing and conserving the resources of the continent in these important realms. In the section of engineering the best methods of overcoming the various physical obstacles to progress and of winning the riches of the earth were explained for the benefit of all America. In the section of government and law the principles of statecraft and the administration of justice were discussed for the benefit of every American government. In the section of the fiscal sciences practical methods of conducting the monetary affairs of the nations were presented and which our privileged position in the world's affairs has placed upon us. I can imagine no greater distinction for the next congress than the possibility of marking a further step in the development of this spirit of service and of continental solidarity.

And, now, in closing, let me again extend the thanks of the delegation of the United States of America to you, the members of the organizing committee, for your broad grasp of the purposes of the congress and the skill with which these purposes have been made real and effective; to you, our colleagues, for your cordial reception of newcomers in your midst, and finally to the Government and people of Chile for the warm-hearted hospitality which we have enjoyed.

explained. And in every other branch of science, practical and abstract, the various forces and agencies that contribute toward progress and enlightenment were in a measure the subject of serious attention. The congress was an initial step toward making the best of all the peoples of the Western Hemisphere. It was an initial step in making the best, for to-day and for all time, of the resources of the continent. It was an initial step which in many ways must make for the peace and prosperity of the continent. It was a noteworthy step in conformity with manifest destiny as expressed in the phrase "America for Americans."

The success of the congress of 1912 depends upon the interest displayed in it by the scientific world, and on the support accorded by the Pan-American governments. The time is ample, and the appointment of an organization committee representative of a wide range of scientific interests is the first step in making the Washington meeting an event worthy of the nation and its capital.

REPORT OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OF THE BOARD OF

REGENTS OF THE SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION

FOR THE YEAR ENDING JUNE 30, 1909.

To the Board of Regents of the Smithsonian Institution:

Your executive committee respectfully submits the following report in relation to the funds, receipts, and disbursements of the Institution, and a statement of the appropriations by Congress for the National Museum, the International Exchanges, the Bureau of American Ethnology, the National Zoological Park, the Astrophysical Observatory, and the International Catalogue of Scientific Literature for the year ending June 30, 1909, together with balances of previous appropriations.

SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION.

Condition of the fund July 1, 1909.

The permanent fund of the Institution and the sources from which it has been derived are as follows:

Registered and guaranteed bonds of the West Shore Railroad Company,

part of legacy of Thomas G. Hodgkins (par value).......

Total permanent fund.......

$42,000.00

986, 918. 69

Also four small pieces of real estate bequeathed by Robert Stanton Avery, of Washington, D. C.