.:Digital Library
An account of the Smithsonian Institution : its founder, building, operations, etc. / / prepared from the reports of Prof. Henry to the regents, and other authentic sources (1866?) by William Jones Rhees
Guide to the Smithsonian Institution and National Museum.
American Silurian Crinoids (1926) by Frank Springer
Subjects: Crinoidea, Fossil; Paleontology -- Silurian
Analyse des fleisches einiger Fische (1877) by Aug. Almen
Atoll Research Bulletin (1951-)
The Atoll Research Bulletin is issued by the Smithsonian Institution to provide an outlet for information on the biota of tropical islands and reefs and on the environment that supports the biota.
The Bulletin was founded in 1951 and the first 117 numbers were issued by the Pacific Science Board, National Academy of Sciences, with financial support from the Office of Naval Research. Its pages were devoted largely to reports resulting from the Pacific Science Board's Coral Atoll Program.
Description Botanique du Chiranthodendron (1805) by José Dionisio Larreátegui
After its publication in Mexico, Larreátegui's monograph found its way to France. It happened that a French naval and colonial administrator, returning to France by way of the United States after a term of service in Guadeloupe, met another Frenchman who had been travelling in Mexico; the latter, a certain "Monsieur Orsel of Lyons," gave to the administrator, Daniel Lescallier, a copy of Larreátegui's Spanish publication along with dried specimens of the leaves, flowers, and seed pods of the tree, all of which Orsel had acquired in his Mexican travels. Lescallier recognized the interest and reputed usefulness of the plant, and, while apologizing for his lack of standing in botanical circles and the "indirect route (and, as the English say, at second hand)" by which he had become involved with the work, he decided "to put [his translation] before the public, such as it is" (translated from the "Avant-propos du traducteur," p.7-8).
Biologia Centrali-Americana (1879-1915) by Frederick D. Godman and Osbert Salvin (eds.)
The Biologia Centrali-Americana (BCA) is a fundamental work for the study of neotropical flora and fauna. It includes nearly everything known about the biological diversity of Mexico and Central America at the time of publication (1879-1915). The original work consists of 58 biological volumes containing 1284 plates illustrating 18,587 subjects. A total of 49,392 species are described, 19,263 for the first time. Many of the illustrations and descriptions are the only ones that exist of the biota of the region.
Ornithologie (1773-1792) by François Nicolas Martinet
To understand the significance of François Martinet's work, it is important first to recognize the difficulties involved in producing illustrations of birds in the 18th century. This provides a foundation for viewing the development of Martinet’s bird illustrations and their contribution to works that became classics in the history of ornithology and makes possible a fuller appreciation of the beautiful hand-colored plates in Ornithologie, the folio reproduced in this digital edition. Digital edition made possible with funding from the Marcia Brady Tucker Foundation.
The Avifauna of Laysan and the neighbouring islands with a complete history to date of the birds of the Hawaiian possession (1893-1900) by Walter Rothschild
In 1890, when Rothschild was 23, he sent a sailor named Henry Palmer to the Sandwich Islands (as the Hawaiian Islands had been named by Captain James Cook in the late 1770s) and most particularly to Laysan, one of the Leeward Islands in the Hawaiian archipelago now part of the Hawaiian Islands Bird Reservation. His instructions were to collect as many different birds as possible, with special attention to inter-island variation. Palmer spent over two years at the task, from December 1890 to August 1893, and sent almost 2000 specimens back to Tring, including representatives of 15 species previously unknown to Western science and several species which have since become extinct.
Birds of North and Middle America: A Descriptive Catalogue (1914) by Robert Ridgway
Notes on some of the birds of Oyster Bay, Long Island. March, 1879 (1879) by Theodore Roosevelt
Brief notes on bird species as observed by Theodore Roosvelt in the Oyster Bay area of Long Island, New York. Digital edition made possible with funding from the Marcia Brady Tucker Foundation.
Simiarum et Vespertilionum Brasiliensium Species Novae (1823) by Johann Baptist von Spix
Johann Baptist von Spix (1781-1826), found his life's work in the field of natural history, specifically zoology. In 1815 Spix, botanist Carl Friedrich Philipp von Martius (1794-1868), and several other naturalists were selected to take part in an official Austrian expedition to Brazil. Simiarum et Vespertilionum Brasiliensium Species Novae provides an account of their findings.
Bulletin des séances de la Société entomologique de France (1873-1894) by Société entomologique de France
Meeting notes and other reports from the Société entomologique de France
By Aeroplane to Pygmyland: Revisiting the 1926 Dutch and American Expedition to New Guinea by Paul Michael Taylor
This online publication, By Aeroplane to Pygmyland: Revisiting the 1926 Dutch and American Expedition to New Guinea, aims to "revisit" a historically important scientific expedition from today's perspective of 80 years later. It does this through interpretive essays accompanied by the publication, for the first time, of two expedition diaries by the American participants and a wealth of additional expedition records that had never before been published, including over 700 original photographs and about two hours of original film footage, in an annotated and inter-connected multimedia format allowing comparison among multiple sources.
Smithsonian Contributions to History and Technology (1969 - present ; formerly Smithsonian Studies in History and Technology) (1969 - present)
This series reports on the scientific, research conducted by Smithsonian staff and their professional colleagues, as well as on the collections of the various Smithsonian museums
On the Crinoid Genus Scyphocrinus and its Bulbous Root Camarocrinus (1917) by Frank Springer
This paper, originally intended merely as an account of a remarkable dis- covery in 1912, having a decisive bearing upon the distribution and morphology of the genus Scyphocrinus, and its relation to the bulbous organism hitherto called Camarocrinus, has by force of repeated further acquisitions of material expanded into a memoir requiring for its illustration nine plates and numerous text-figures. The drawings for the plates were executed by Mr. Kenneth M. Chapman, now of Santa Fé, New Mexico, with his usual skill and fidelity. The text-figures have been prepared with much care by my assistant, Mr. Herrick E. Wilson, whose studies of the structural details have greatly facilitated the present explanation of the internal characters of the Camarocrinus bulbs. For the valuable aids thus contributed I wish to express to both these gentlemen my acknowledgment and appreciation.
Development of non-destructive techniques to search for a lost mural by Leonardo da Vinci (1976) by H. Newton Travers and Maurizio Serancini
Final report for grant N. FC-6-66619, 1976, special studies/research
A Description of the fossil fish remains of the Cretaceous, Eocene and Miocene formations of New Jersey (1911) by Henry Weed Fowler
Discussion on Results Recorded in the "Biologia Centrali-Americana" (1916) by Zoological Society of London
Meeting notes of the Zoological Society of London on the creation of the Biologia Centrali-Americana
Astronomiæ instauratæ mechanica (1602) by Tycho Brahe
This edition is the first trade edition of the Mechanica (as the book is commonly known). The work was originally printed privately for Tycho Brahe in 1598 by the Hamburg printer Philip von Ohrs on Tycho's printing press at the castle of Wandsbeck. The 1598 edition was meant for private distribution only and very few copies were made (probably between 60 and 100). After Tycho's death in 1601, it appears that his heirs sold the Mechanica's woodcuts and copper-plate engravings to the Nürnberg writer and printer Levinus Hulsius. Hulsius printed his edition in 1602 and it is very similar to the 1598 edition except that he did not use as fine a paper, the margins are smaller, and the pages do not have the fine border around the text and illustrations. In addition, most of the 1598 copies were hand-colored prior to distribution.
The Servant in the House: A Brief History of the Sewing Machine (1930) by Frederick Lewis Lewton
An early work on sewing machine history, published by the Smithsonian Institution
Untersuchungen zur Ichthyologie angestellt in der Physiologischen und Vergleichend-Anatomischen anstalt der Universitat Freiburg nebst einer Geschichte und Beschreibung dieser Institute (1857) by Alexander Ecker
The evolution and distribution of fishes (1923) by John Muirhead Macfarlane
Plates prepared between the years 1849 and 1859, to accompany a report on the forest trees of North America (1891) by Asa Gray
Plates with brief text prepared for an unpublished work on forest trees of North America
Le Garde-meuble, ancien et moderne (1839-1935) by Désiré Guilmard
Le Garde-meuble, ancien et moderne (Furniture repository, ancient and modern), a bimonthly periodical published in Paris, exerted an enormous influence throughout the world by promoting French styles in furniture, fabrics, and interior decoration for a nearly a century, beginning in 1839 during the reign of Louis Philippe and ceasing in the waning years of the Third Republic around 1935.
Guide to the gallery of fishes in the Department of Zoology of the British Museum (Natural History) (1908) by British Museum (Natural History). Dept. of Zoology
" Hair Pipes in Plains Indian Adornment" (from Bulletin 164) (1957) by John C. Ewers
John Ewers's scholarly paper, "Hair Pipes in Plains Indian Adornment" was published as an Anthropological Paper within the BAE series in 1957, Ewers presents a short but comprehensive discussion on the history, manufacture, uses, and meanings of these ornaments. In doing so, he uses both published and archival references, verbal testimony of Indian informants, and the careful study of ethnological objects, drawings, paintings, and photographs.
The House Painter, or, Decorator's Companion (1841) by William Mullingar Higgins
The House Painter is a splendid example of the kind of trade manual which serves as a primary document in the history of technology, manufacturing, culture, and aesthetic styles. The SIL copy is a well-worn, craftsman copy, and is an intriguing artifact in itself.
Ternate: The Residency and its Sultanate (Bijdragen tot de kennis der Residentie Ternate) (1890) by F.S.A. de Clerq
The book can just be enjoyed as a vivid and informative account of court life at the historic sultanate of Ternate, joined to a travelogue about the far-flung dependencies of the sultanate, as told by a witty and opinionated observer with many interests--who happened also to be the "Resident" or supreme local representative of the colonial government. This translation ries to convey the detailed data de Clercq presents while also preserving the pungent style with which he leads the reader on this tour of his Residency.
Verzeichniss meiner Insecten-Sammlung (1796) by Jakob Sturm
In 1796 Sturm published the catalog of his own insect collection, reproduced here. As a result of his work and expanding network of contacts with entomologists and other scientists, his collection grew so rapidly that he issued an enlarged second edition only four years later, in 1800, and eventually a third in 1826 and a fourth in 1843. His became one of the largest and most valuable private collections in Europe, consulted and cited by entomologists throughout the scientific world.
Katalog der Paläarktischen dipteren (1903-1907) by Theodor Becker and M. Bezzi, J. Bischof, Dr. K. Kertész, et al.
Catalog of diptera
Observationum Botanicarum (1802) by Romanus Adolph Hedwig
The Observationum botanicarum was delivered as an academic oration and first published in February 1802 by the Leipzig printer Hirschfeld (ex officina Hirschfeldia) in 15 pages with no plates. As the title indicates, the 20 pages seem to have been intended as the first part of a larger work, starting with the mosses and lower plants, but no evidence has been found to indicate that the work was ever continued.
The New York Coach-Makers' Magazine (1869-1871)
Begun in June, 1858, the New York Coach-Makers' Magazine" was "Devoted to the Literary, Social and Mechanical interests of the Craft" and directed primarily to proprietors of the coach shops
Osnovy ikhtiologii (1948) by Evgeniĭ Konstantinovich Suvorov
Theatrum instrumentorum et machinarum (1578) by Jacques Dauphinois Besson
Near the end of the 16th century, a new type of book appeared which evolved into an entire genre of literature known as the "Theater of machines." These works represented a new way of thinking that was cultivated during the Renaissance: mathematical principles could be applied to the development of new machines and new technical achievements were appropriate considerations for monarchs and the upper class.
Report of Hon. William H. Witte, from the Committee of the House of Representatives, to which was referred the letter of the Hon. Rufus Choate, on the Smithsonian Institution (1855) by United States Congress
Smithsonian Institution -- History
Systema Saturnium (1659) by Christiaan Huygens
Christiaan Huygens was born in The Hague, Netherlands, on April 14, 1629. Huygens was particularly intrigued by Saturn, mainly because of its puzzling appearance. In 1659, Huygens was satisfied with the extent of his research and his book, Systema Saturnium, was printed and ready for distribution by July of that year. The Systema Saturnium is one of 200 books known as the "Heralds of Science."
Prodromus in systema historicum testaceorum (1795 [1801 issue]) by Joachim Johann Nepomuk Spalowsky
Joachim Johann Nepomuk Anton Spalowsky (1752-17 May 1797) was a veritable polymath in the Austrian Empire of the late eighteenth century. His Prodromus is among the rarest of published books on shells.
The Sewing Machine: Its Invention and Development (1976) by Grace Rogers Cooper
We are delighted to announce that Grace Rogers Cooper's 1976 classic, The Sewing Machine: Its Invention and Development, long out of print, is once again accessible to researchers and the public. The Smithsonian Institution's mission of "diffusion of knowledge" is well suited to this web publication of a museum reference work
Smithsonian Institution Digital Repository
The Smithsonian Institution Digital Repository stores digitized and born-digital publications and related data produced by Smithsonian Institution staff and researchers.
Smithsonian Annals of Flight (1964 - 1974)
This series reports on the scientific, research conducted by Smithsonian staff and their professional colleagues, as well as on the collections of the various Smithsonian museums in the area of aeronautics and flight.
Smithsonian Institution ... / by Charles Minor Blackford, Jr. M.D., reprint from the North American Review for January, 1909, with revisions by the author … (1909) by Charles Minor Blackford, Jr.
[United States] 60th Cong., 2d sess. Senate. Doc. -- 717 United States. 717.
Smithsonian Contributions to Anthropology (1965 - present)
This series reports on the scientific, research conducted by Smithsonian staff and their professional colleagues, as well as on the collections of the various Smithsonian museums in the field of Anthropology.
Smithsonian Contributions to Astrophysics (1956-1974)
This series reports on the scientific, research conducted by Smithsonian staff and their professional colleagues, as well as on the collections of the various Smithsonian museums in the field of Astrophysics.
Smithsonian Contributions to Botany (1969 - 2001)
This series reports on the scientific, research conducted by Smithsonian staff and their professional colleagues, as well as on the collections of the various Smithsonian museums in the field of Botany.
Smithsonian Contributions to Museum Conservation (2010-)
This series reports on the scientific, research conducted by Smithsonian staff and their professional colleagues, as well as on the collections of the various Smithsonian museums in the areas of museum conservation and materials science.
Smithsonian Contributions to Paleobiology (1969 - present)
This series reports on the scientific, research conducted by Smithsonian staff and their professional colleagues, as well as on the collections of the various Smithsonian museums in the field of Paleobiology.
Smithsonian Contributions to the Earth Sciences (1969 - 2002)
This series reports on the scientific, research conducted by Smithsonian staff and their professional colleagues, as well as on the collections of the various Smithsonian museums in the field of Earth Sciences.
Smithsonian Contributions to the Marine Sciences (1977 - present)
This series reports on the scientific, research conducted by Smithsonian staff and their professional colleagues, as well as on the collections of the various Smithsonian museums in the field of Marine Sciences.
Smithsonian Contributions to Zoology (1969 -)
This series reports on the scientific, research conducted by Smithsonian staff and their professional colleagues, as well as on the collections of the various Smithsonian museums in the field of Zoology.
Smithsonian Folklife Studies (1980-1990)
This series reports on the scientific, research conducted by Smithsonian staff in the area of Folklife studies.
The Smithsonian Institution, a revelation (1926) by Smithsonian Institution
Smithsonian Institution -- History
Bulletin 200: List of Publications of the Bureau of American Ethnology (1971) by Smithsonian Institution Bureau of American Ethnology
The Smithsonian Institution Libraries selected this work, List of Publications of the Bureau of American Ethnology with Index to Authors and Titles, Bulletin 200, as its second electronic edition from the Bureau of American Ethnology (BAE) publications for its usefulness to the world research community.
Smithsonian Studies in Air and Space (1977 - 1990)
This series reports on the scientific, research conducted by Smithsonian staff and their professional colleagues, as well as on the collections of the various Smithsonian museums in the areas of aeronautics and space sciences.
Summer Birds of the Adirondacks in Franklin County, N.Y. (1877) by Theodore Roosevelt and H. D. Minot
Brief notes on bird species as observed in the Adironacks area of New York. Digital edition made possible with funding from the Marcia Brady Tucker Foundation.
A Biological Survey of the Waters of Woods Hole and Vicinity (1913) by George M. Bowers
Bulletin of the Bureau of Fisheries issue describing the marine flora and fauna of the Woods Hole, Mass. and surrounding areas
Textile Fiber Atlas: A Collection of Photomicrographs of Common Textile Fibers (1942) by Werner Von Bergen and Walter Krauss
Werner von Bergen, renowned author/editor of the Wool Handbook (six volumes), also co-authored a small volume of fiber photomicrographs with microscopist Walter Krauss in 1942. This volume, the Textile Fiber Atlas: A Collection of Photomicrographs of Common Textile Fibers, has provided generations of textile students with definitive images of fibers at high magnification, along with careful directions and precise notes. It is an indispensable aid in properly identifying textile objects.
The Textile Fiber Atlas… has been out of print for some time but it remains popular among ethnobotanists, textile conservators, microscopists, anthropologists, and archaeologists in photocopy form. Though modern techniques of photomicrography now permit color and scanning electron micrographic images, the Textile Fiber Atlas remains a classic reference in textiles research.
The Horse in Blackfoot Indian Culture (1955) by John C. Ewers
The Horse in Blackfoot Indian Culture is a remarkable blending of two different approaches to the study of culture. On the one hand it is a detailed technological study, harkening back to classic studies of the late 19th and early 20th century; on the other it is a nuanced analysis of social differentiation and class structure, reflecting interests that would engage anthropologists for decades to come. The successful integration of these two differing approaches contributes to the lasting interest of the book.
Unveiling the statue of Joseph Henry : Smithsonian grounds, Thursday, April 19, 1883 (1883) by Smithsonian Institution
Program for the unveiling of the Joseph Henry statue
Die Verbreitung der Fische (1895) by J. Palacký
The Watch factories of America, past and present. A complete history of watchmaking in America, from 1809 to 1888 inclusive (1888) by Henry G. Abbott
A history and description of watch factories in America; includes images of factories and key industrialists
Zoe (1890-1908) by Zoe Pub. Co.