DEPARTMENT OF MARINE BIOLOGY.* 



Alfred G. Mayer, Director. 



Under existing conditions it has seemed best to defer the taking of 

 definite steps leading to the transfer of our main laboratory from the 

 Tortugas to some more accessible place in the West Indian region in 

 which a station of international scope could be established. At present, 

 however, the station is operated at some disadvantage. Our sole con- 

 tact with Key West, distant 68 miles, must be maintained by weekly 

 trips made with the Anton Dohrn at a cost of nearly $150 for each such 

 voyage. Moreover, this periodic interruption of the scientific work 

 which the yacht itself should perform has largely prevented our using 

 this excellent little vessel for the oceanographic studies for the prosecu- 

 tion of which she is so well fitted. Our activities have therefore been in 

 a measure restricted to researches in physiologj', ecology, and experi- 

 mental fields, the material for the prosecution of which could be obtained 

 in the near neighborhood of the laboratorj- and without the use of the 

 Anton Dohrn. With numerous local oceanographic problems awaiting 

 solution, it is to be regretted that we have heretofore been unable to 

 enter upon sustained and intensive work in this field. 



It is, however, of primary importance that we should determine 

 upon the best possible site in the whole West Indian region in which to 

 place our new laboratory should the abandonment of the Tortugas 

 become necessary. The Director, therefore, during March and April 

 1915, visited St. Thomas, St. CroLx, Guadeloupe, Dominica, Martinique, 

 St. Lucia, Montserrat, St. Christopher, Barbados, and Demerara. 

 Data which w411 be of value in determining the proper sites for stations 

 for special studies were obtained; rich coral reefs were found in places, 

 and we observed the remarkable pelagic life of the northern branch 

 of the Great Equatorial current which runs along the northern coast of 

 South America beyond the region of the muddj^ shore-waters heavy 

 with silt from the great rivers. 



This observational cruise was supplemented in May by an expedition 

 to Porto Rico, upon which the Director was accompanied by Profes- 

 sors Edwin G. Conklin, A. J. Goldfarb, John H. Gerould, William H. 

 Longley, C. F. Silvester, and A. L. Treadwell, while ]\Ir. Stanley J. 

 Rowland served as artist and Mr. John Mills as engineer. The expe- 

 dition was designed to test the availability of Porto Rico as a site for 

 an international marine laboratory of research. Following the advice 

 of Professor Henry E. Crampton, who did all in his power to aid us, we 

 made Guanica Harbor our chief objective, although studies were also 

 conducted at Condado Bay near San Juan. 



♦Situated at Tortugas, Florida. 



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