Encyclopedia Smithsonian

Answers to some of the questions most often asked of the National Museum of Natural History  about the biology and natural history of these shy, nocturnal creatures.

Frequently requested Information on insects from butterflies to wasps.

Information and reading list on the process of Egyptian mummification.

The Foucault Pendulum is named for the French physicist Jean Foucault (pronounced Foo-koh), who first used it in 1851 to demonstrate the rotation of the earth.

Learn about the history of the Hope Diamond.

Information about the Shark Attack File

War heroes are not always human, and the Smithsonian has several animal soldiers in its collection.

Explore the life and legacy of our 16th president through objects from the museum's collection.

Dominating the rotunda, in a setting that re-creates the Angolan bush, is the museum's 8-ton, 14-foot-tall African elephant.

This exhibition examines the critical role the postal system played in the creation of America's commercial aviation industry.

This exhibition presents an alphabet of philately through 26 topics, in which each letter stands for some aspect of stamp collecting or the sending of mail.

Animals and plants of the New World are included in this rain forest habitat featuring a re-created microcosm of the world's largest rain forest and the Amazon River.

This exhibition traces the history of commercial air transportation in the U.S. from 1914 to today and discusses how technological innovations have revolutionized air travel .

This exhibition examines how transportation -- from 1876 to 1999 -- has shaped our American identity.