William Henry Holmes' life and work covers pivotal moments in scientific exploration across the United States and the development of the Smithsonian Institution.
This is the eighth volume of William Henry Holmes' autobiography and covers his life and work during 1897-1902. His work included travel with Smithsonian Institution Secretary Samuel P. Langley to study birds for the purposes of Langley's work on “flying machines.” Holmes also describes his growing interest in the study of ethnology and anthropology while completing field work in California and Mexico.