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National Observatory

THE, a Government institution, Division of the Navigation Bureau of the Navy Department, Washington, D. C. Here the posi tion of the sun, moon, planets, and stars is determined for "The American Ephemerics and Nautical Almanac," and standard time is issued by radio and telegraph at noon and 10 p. m. for navigation, and the general public. The institution also purchases, tests, and repairs instruments used in the navy, and conducts investigations of scientific and general interest. The observatory developed from the Chart and Instrument Depot of the Navy Department of 1838. Lieutenant Wilkes at his own expense built an NATIONAL PARKS NATURAL BRIDGES NATIONAL PORTRAIT GALLERY, founded in 1856, was established at South Kensington, in 1869, but removed on loan to the Bethnal Green Museum in 1885. In 1891, when the collection comprised nearly 900 portraits, a building for its special use was in progress at the rear of the National Gallery. observatory on Capitol Hill in this year, and the Secretary of the Navy directed the purchase of necessary instruments for observations in meteorology, and asthe observatory were published in 1846, the first American work of its kind. Con- gress authorized the erection of a Nathe observatory were published in 1846, the first American work of its kind. Congress authorized the erection of a National observatory in 1842, and under Lieutenant M. F. Maury a special study Recording observations by electricity raphy.

Recording observations by electricity was begun in 1849. Professor Asaph Hall in 1877 discovered satellites of Mars through Alvan Clark's 26-inch lens tele- scope, the largest made up to that time. through Alvan Clark's 26-inch lens telescope, the largest made up to that time. In 1893 the observatory was moved to Georgetown Heights. Since 1893 the ob- servatory has co-operated with other nations in astronomical work. In 1913- 1914 the observatory, acting with the French, made the first direct determination of the difference of longitude between Washington and Europe by exchange of radio signs from Arlington and the Eiffel Tower station, Paris. The National Observatory has published 50 volumes descriptive of its work.

NATIONAL PARKS AND RESER- VATIONS, certain public lands of the United States which have been reserved from settlement, and are retained and improved by the United States Government as National parks. Their location and area in 1920 were as follows:

National Parks in Order of Creation Hot Springs, 1832 Yellowstone, 1872 Hot Springs, 1890 Yosemite, 1890 General Grant, 1890 Mount Rainier, 1899 Crater Lake, 1902 Wind Cave, Platt, 1903 1904 Sullys Hill, 1904 Mesa Verde, 1906 Glacier, 1910 Location Area in Sq. Miles 11/2 Middle Arkansas......

Middle Arkansas Middle E. California.. 252 Middle E. California.. 1,125 Middle E. California.. 4 West c'tr'l Wash'ton.. 324 Southwestern Oregon.. 249 South Dakota South Oklahoma......

North Dakota ..

South Oklahoma 17 1½ 1% 77 North Dakota Rocky Mountain, N. middle Colorado... 398 Hawaiian Islands...... 118 1915 Hawaii, 1916 Lassen Volcanic, Northern California... 124 Glacier, Mount McKinley, South central Alaska.. 2,200 Grand Canyon, Hawaii, Lafayette, North central Arizona.. 958 Maine Coast NATIONAL SECURITY LEAGUE, an organization founded in 1914 by citizens of the United States who believed National defense, the League favored a much larger army and navy and used its essity for greater armament on the part of the United States. While not committing itself to any particular plan of National defense, the League favored a upon Congress to grant the necessary It enlisted members much larger army and navy and used its effective organization to bring pressure appropriations. from all parts of the United States, and and in other work of assistance to the engaged in a publicity campaign to make known to the voters the need of "Preused its organization in aiding the draft and in other work of assistance to the Government.

NATIONAL SOLDIERS' HOMES.

See SOLDIERS' HOMES. ternal organization, incorporated in 1881, membership of over 60,000. Insurance ters in Toledo, O. In 1920 there were over the members, and over 700 local councils organized, with a total policies amounting to over $150,000,000 are carried by the $45,000,000 has been paid out in death benefits since the order was established. NATUNA ISLANDS, three groups of benefits since the order was established.