SECRETARY'S REPORT 



163 



Investigator 

 Swift, Paul F., 



Eastman Kodak Tropical Research 



Laboratory. 

 Verity, Erwin, 



Walt Disney Production. 

 Verrall, A. F., 



U. S. Forest Service. 

 Warren, James W., 



Walter Reed Army Medical Center. 

 Weber, Neal A., 



Swarthmore College. 

 Wetmore, Dr. and Mrs. Alexander, 



Smithsonian Institution. 

 Wilmar, Mr. and Mrs. H., 



Walt Disney Production. 

 Wislocki, Louis, 



Swarthmore College. 

 Zeigler, John N., 



Woods Hole Oceanographic Institu- 

 tion. 

 Corrosion Conference 



(a group of United States scientists). 



Principal interest or special study 

 Physical and chemical studies related to 

 corrosion and deterioration. 



Photography and study of mammals. 



Inspection of controls for corrosion and 



termite installations. 

 Study of fungus-growing ants. 



Study of fungus-growing ants. 



Continuation of bird studies. 



Photography and study of mammals. 



Associate of Dr. Enders. 



General biological observations. 



Annual conference on island. 



VISITORS 



The visitors who spent at least a day on Barro Colorado Island * 

 this year totaled 440. The majority of these were local people, but 

 there were some who came by plane or boat to the mainland and had 

 included a side trip to the laboratory in their plans. As in other years, 

 all appeared to be very enthusiastic, and many expressed the wish 

 that they could stay longer or return again at some later time. 



RAINFALL 



In 1955, during the dry season (January through April) rains of 

 0.01 inch or more fell on 44 of the 120 days (128 hours) and amounted 

 to 10.78 inches, as compared to 5.84 inches during 1954. 



During the wet season of 1955 (May through December) rains of 

 0.01 inch or more fell on 202 of the 245 days and amounted to 103.64 

 inches as compared to 99.85 inches during 1954. 



During 1955 rain fell on 246 days (975 hours), and averaged only 

 0.45 inch per day, almost 0.12 inch per hour. 



March was the driest month of 1955 (0.21 inch) and November the 

 wettest (17.14 inches). The wettest year of record (31 years) was 



* Anyone contemplating a visit to this unique spot in the American Tropics 

 should communicate with the Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, Wash- 

 ington 25, D. OL, or with the Resident Naturalist of the Canal Zone Biological 

 Area, Drawer "C," Balboa, Canal Zone. 



