INTRODUCTIOX O 



although liberal promises had been made by persons stationed in the Zone, 

 practically no material had been received during the four years already spent 

 upon the monograph. An arrangement, therefore, was made with the Isthmian 

 Canal Commission by which the expenses of a trained observer were met by the 

 Commission during a period covering the end of the dry season and practically 

 all of the rainy season, the time occupied in a visit to the Zone and a careful 

 study of its mosquito fauna. Mr. August Busck was selected for the purpose. 

 He left New York April 12, arrived at Colon April 19, and from April 19 to 

 July 30 worked the Zone from Panama to Colon, though mainly the region 

 around Tabernilla, and also made two trips into Panama, on the Upper Chagres 

 River, from May 18 to 28, and to Taboga Island, from June 30 to July 7. The 

 amount of information gained by this expedition was extraordinary. Previously 

 only 7 species of mosquitoes were known from the Canal Zone, but Mr. Busck 

 returned with more than 90 species, of which 30 were new to science. His visit 

 also interested certain persons, resident there, in the more careful study and 

 rearing of mosquitoes, and a great deal of additional valuable material has been 

 received since his return, especially from Mr. A. H. Jennings of the Sanitary 

 Department. The expedition resulted in benefit to the Sanitary Department of 

 the Isthmian Canal Commission, since Mr. Busck was able to give some im- 

 portant points on the habits of certain species concerned in the transmission of 

 disease. At the same time he learned much concerning the practical work carried 

 on under the Sanitary Department and returned filled with admiration for the 

 enlightened efforts which had accomplished such admirable results in the prac- 

 tical elimination of the disease-carrying mosquitoes from the Zone. 



Mr. Knab undertook an expedition to Saskatchewan to work out the life 

 histories of the mosquitoes of the northern prairies, until then unknown. He 

 left Washington early in April and returned the latter part of June. Dr. Dyar 

 later visited a new locality in Maine. 



The work during 1908 was mainly devoted to the continuance of the prepara- 

 tion of the monograph. Dr. Dyar did some field work in Maine and Kew Hamp- 

 shire in midsummer. Mr. Knab in the winter of 1907-1908 visited Mexico, 

 remaining during the early months of 1908 in the vicinity of Vera Cruz, Cor- 

 doba, Orizaba and Omealca, engaged partly upon another investigation, but also 

 collecting and rearing mosquito material. 



During the entire period of the preparation of the monograph the grantee and 

 his fellow authors have met with the heartiest cooperation on all sides. While 

 it is true that many promises have been made which have not been fulfilled, and 

 while it is true that the completion of the work has been delayed through a too 

 great reliance upon certain of these promises, and while through such a reliance 

 the mosquitoes of certain regions have not been studied with the necessary care 

 to properly round out the work, it is well understood by the authors that by no 

 means all of the good intentions of a busy man can be fulfilled, and they are 

 grateful for the intention itself and for the cordial promises. They realize also 

 that while it seems easy to collect and rear mosquitoes, it is really a rather diffi- 

 cult thing to do properly, and only when properly done are the results of value. 



