DEDICATION 



More than a year ago, a member of the staff of the Allan Hancock 

 Foundation suggested the possibility of a commemorative volume to be 

 dedicated to Captain Allan Hancock, founder and director (1938-1954) 

 of the Allan Hancock Foundation, on the occasion of his birthday in 

 July, 1955. The idea was discussed with other staff members and re- 

 ceived instantaneous approval, as it did also from the present director. 



Contact was made with scientists in various parts of the United 

 States and other countries who had participated in scientific cruises of 

 the Velero III and the Velero IV under the command of Captain 

 Hancock, or who had carried on research on material collected on these 

 or similar cruises. The ready and enthusiastic response was most gratify- 

 ing and testifies to the high esteem in which Captain Hancock is held in 

 the scientific world. 



The research papers contributed by these scientists, together with 

 results of research by members of the staff, comprise this volume. The 

 monumental work of editing, arranging, proof-reading, and seeing 

 through the press has been done by the editor of the Hancock Foundation 

 Publications, assisted by members of the staff of the Foundation Library. 

 The project was made possible financially through the generosity of the 

 Chancellor and the President of the University of Southern Cahfornia. 



It is with a deep sense of gratitude and affection that this volume is 

 dedicated to Captain Allan Hancock. 



The Staff 

 Allan Hancock Foundation for Scientific Research 



