REPORT OF THE PRESIDENT, I9IO. 25 



Six years ago, when the duties of the Presidency were assumed by the 



writer, he deemd it desirable to visit at the erliest opportunity all individuals 



pursuing researches under the auspices of the Institution. 



Marinf Bioloev. "^ soon developt, however, that a speedy accomplishment 

 of this task would prove quite impracticable, and it became 

 essential to adopt a much more restricted program for activities in this direc- 

 tion. Thus, while nearly all other departmental establishments of the Insti- 

 tution have been visited by the President prior to the past year, his first visit 

 to the Tortugas Laboratory was not made until June, 19 10. Having alredy 

 entertaind very favorable, but somewhat indefinit, opinions concerning the 

 wisdom of the choice of this locality for a marine laboratory, it is fitting to 

 state that the extraordinary biological resources and the salubrity of the sum- 

 mer climate of the Tortugas group are so evident as to rouse the enthusiasm 

 of any interested observer. As pointed out by the Director of the laboratory, 

 the isolation even of these islands furnishes important advantages to the in- 

 vestigator. In brief, the favorable impressions gaind during the first visit 

 in respect to the locality and in respect to the scientific spirit and possibilities 

 of the establishment are only temperd by the present incapacity of the Insti- 

 tution to give more liberal financial support to this department of work. 



Two emergencies seriously affecting the department and calling for prompt 

 action have arisen during the year. One is due partly to the gradual aban- 

 donment by the U. S. Navy of the supply depot and wireless station at Tor- 

 tugas, thus rendering communication between Key West and the laboratory 

 less certain and frequent than hitherto. The curtailment of this source of 

 aid generously extended by the Navy to the laboratory during the past six 

 years has forced upon the department the necessity of providing better inde- 

 pendent transportation than that afforded by its best boat, the Physalia. 

 One object, therefore, of the visit above referd to was to consider with the 

 Director the best way to meet this urgent need. Accordingly plans and 

 specifications for a 70-foot twin-screw boat were prepard during the sum- 

 mer ; and on authorization by the Executiv Committee, at its meeting of 

 October 18, 1910, a contract for the construction of this proposd vessel was 

 let October 31, 1910, to the Miami Yacht and Machine Co., of Miami, Flor- 

 ida, with the expectation that the contract will be completed July next. 



The other emergency arises from the damage to the laboratory caused by 

 the hurricane of October 14-18, 1910. The extent of this damage is not 

 definitly known at the present writing, but steps have been taken to get trust- 

 worthy details at the erliest practicable date, so that estimates of the expense 

 requird to restore the building may be redy for submission to the Board of 

 Trustees before their next meeting in December. 



It is gratifying to note that the opportunities afforded for intensiv research 

 by the laboratory are so highly appreciated that applications for its privi- 

 leges are alredy more numerous than can be granted. Each year since its 

 establishment additions have been made to its equipment and the Director 



