FOREWORD II 



To which remarks we would append the following notes: 



{a) Our observations and collections were concentrated exclu- 

 sively on the live madreporic environment, and up to a depth of 

 sixty feet. Therefore all the animals collected by us were part of 

 this habitat, with the exception of a number of pelagic fish 

 captured during their crossing of this habitat. 

 {b) Work was carried out on thirty-two islands, peninsulas and 

 islets distributed along the Red Sea's western coast, particularly 

 in the southern sector (the archipelago of Dahlak) . 

 {c) For prolonged immersion auto-respirators containing com- 

 pressed air were used, of the Italian Micro type. This apparatus, 

 modified and perfected, is to-day manufactured under the name 

 Aquasub. 



{d) At the time of writing this book only a very small part of the 

 material brought back has been studied; Italian and foreign 

 speciaHsts are still engaged on this work. A true evaluation of 

 the enterprise is therefore not yet possible. 



The National Underwater Expedition, planned and organized 

 by Dr Bruno Vailati, was patronized by the Goggler Club of 

 Milan, and recognized by the Federazione ItaHana Pesca 

 Sportiva, the Comitato Olimpico Nazionale Itahano, and the 

 Federazione Medico Sportiva Italiana. 



It was also recognized by the Ministero della Pubblica Istru- 

 zione, the Istituto di Zoologia of Rome University, the Museo 

 di Civico Storia Naturale of Milan, and the Istituto Centrale 

 di Idrobiologia. 



The members of the Expedition wish to thank all those insti- 

 tutions which, with material and moral support, contributed to 

 the realization of the enterprise. They would also like to thank 

 the commercial and industrial companies which generously 



