I08 . REPORTS OF INVESTIGATIONS AND PROJECTS. 



of a wide region may be depleted in certain years, very much as upon land 

 there may be "insect years" and years of general scarcity. 



The result of the voyage was to confirm my impression that the Tortugas 

 affords the best possible situation from which to study the marine life of 

 the tropical Gulf Stream. This view is confirmed by that of Dr. Robert 

 Hartmeyer, of the Berlin Zoological Museum, a most successful collector 

 and able student of marine life, who has made extensive collections in 

 Jamaica, St. Thomas, Barbados, Trindad, Cuba, and other parts of the West 

 Indies. Dr. Hartmeyer's opinion of the Tortugas is expressed in detail in 

 his preliminary report presented herewith. 



The following investigators studied under the auspices of the Department 

 . of Marine Zoology during the past season : 



Mr. Frank M. Chapman, American Museum of Natural History, March 27 to 



April 29. 

 Prof. Edwin G. Conklin, University of Pennsylvania, March 28 to April 23. 

 Dr. Robert Hartmeyer, Berlin Zoological Museum, May 24 to July 9. 

 Prof. H. E. Jordan, University of Virginia, May 17 to June 12. 

 Prof. Edwin Linton, Washington and Jefferson College, June 27 to July 18. 

 Prof. Jacob Reighard, Michigan University, July 8 to August 9. 

 Dr. Charles R. Stockard, Cornell Medical College, June 5 to July 23. 

 Dr. Frank A. Stromsten, Iowa University, June 5 to July 23. 

 Prof. John B. Watson, Chicago University, May 2 to July 18. 



In addition to the above, Messrs. Carl Kellner, of Johns Hopkins Uni- 

 versity, and Davenport Hooker, of Yale University, acted as artist and col- 

 lector respectively. 



Effective precautions are taken to prevent the breeding of mosquitoes upon 

 the Loggerhead Key, and the utmost cleanliness is maintained about the 

 premises. The rations consist of the best procurable canned provisions, 

 supplemented by fruit, fish, and turtle-meat, but no fresh vegetables or 

 unpeeled fruit is brought to the island from Key West, owing to the possi- 

 bility of the introduction of various tropical diseases. The almost constant 

 sea-breeze and the excellent ventilation of the laboratory buildings maintain 

 a degree of coolness which is exceptional in tropical latitudes. The highest 

 temperature ever observed in the laboratory was 97° F., but this was at least 

 10° above the usual degree of heat in the warm season. 



All of the investigators returned in excellent health, the majority being 

 evidently benefited by their life in the open air, such as the laboratory 

 affords. 



REPORTS OF RESEARCHES. 



Mr. Frank M. Chapman presents the following report upon his observa- 

 tions of the frigate birds and gannets nesting upon Cay Verde, one of the 

 most isolated and inaccessible of the Bahama Islands. This island is a mass 

 of jagged and eroded rock, and, with dangerous coral reefs on one side and 

 the deep ocean on the other, it affords no harbor. Mr. Chapman's studies 

 were therefore carried out at much personal hardship and considerable risk,. 



