10 CHACE 



How can we obtain a reasonably prompt analysis of plankton, those 

 numberless tiny drifting forms on which the entire economy of the sea 

 depends? 



Several invertebrate animal groups are almost completely ignored 

 by taxonomists of this generation and few of them, except insects and 

 mollusks, are receiving even part-time attention from more than one or 

 two experienced specialists. The continuation of such limited taxonomic 

 interest can only mean an indefinite delay in achieving a comparatively 

 stable nomenclature and in acquiring knowledge of the relationships, dis- 

 tribution, and habits of animals on which the solution of more practical 

 problems may rest. 



Various methods have been proposed for improving this state of 

 affairs. It is generally agreed that sound systematic research is dependent 

 on the competitive efforts of a number of well-trained specialists on each 

 animal group and upon adequate collections and ample libraries. There 

 are those who believe that taxonomic studies can best be fostered by cen- 

 tralizing collections of each group so as to minimize the travel necessary 

 to examine a sufficient series of specimens. Some have suggested that all 

 material of the less popular groups should be deposited in the U. S. 

 National Museum. Partly because of this, the steel stacks housing the 

 vast marine invertebrate reference collections of that institution have 

 become filled almost to the limit of their capacity. Unfortunately, the 

 staff entrusted with the care of these collections has not grown in pro- 

 portion and it cannot identify and catalogue the specimens properly and 

 provide prompt assistance to specialists in other institutions. 



As curator of these collections, it is only natural that I should hope 

 and work for the gradual expansion of our facilities and staff so that 

 this century-old establishment can maintain its position of leadership 

 in the field and can more nearly cope with the duties assigned to it. 

 But even if the overburdened taxpayer and his representatives could be 

 persuaded to increase the Federal appropriation by the many times neces- 

 sary to support all invertebrate systematic research, I could not honestly 

 support the idea. In these days of great international tensions and unprece- 

 dented weapons of annihilation, it is important that there be more than a 

 single center for the systematic study of invertebrates. 



There are other ways of supporting systematic research. Marine 

 biology has benefited more than is generally realized or acknowledged 

 from the services of taxonomists who were able to carry on their studies 

 with little or no compensation and from the generosity of individuals 

 like Alexander Agassiz, Prince Albert I of Monaco, and Allan Hancock. 



