The purpose of setting aside such an area is to preserve and conserve its natural features, including existing flora and fauna, in as nearly a natural condition as possible, thus providing a place where duly qualified students can make observations and scientific investigations for increase of knowledge, under such conditions and regulations as may be prescribed by the Smithsonian Institution . (July 2, 1940, ch. 516, § 2, 54 Stat. 724 ; 1946 Reorg. Plan No. 3, § 801, eff. July 16, 1946 , 11 F.R. 7877 , 60 Stat. 1101 .) Editorial Notes Codification Section was formerly classified to section 1382 of Title 48 , Territories and Insular Possessions. Executive Documents Transfer of Functions “ Smithsonian Institution ” substituted in text for “Board of Directors of the Canal Zone Biological Area” by Reorg. Plan No. 3 of 1946, set out in the Appendix to Title 5 , Government Organization and Employees.