164 



ANNUAL REPORT SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION, 1956 



1935 with 143.42 inches, and the driest year of record was 1930 with 

 only 76.57 inches. 



The maxima of record for short periods were 5 minutes 1.30 inches ; 

 10 minutes 1.65 inches; 1 hour 4.11 inches; 2 hours 4.81 inches. 



Table 1. — Annual rainfall, Barro Colorado Island 



Year 



Total 

 inches 



1941 91.82 



1942 111. 10 



1943 120.29 



1944 111.96 



1945 120.42 



1946 87.38 



1947 77.92 



1948 83. 16 



1949 114.86 



1950 114.51 



1951 112.72 



1952 97.68 



1953 104.97 



1954 105.68 



1955 114.42 



Station 

 average 



108. 41 



108. 55 



109. 20 

 109. 30 

 109. 84 

 108. 81 

 107. 49 

 106. 43 



106. 76 



107. 07 

 107. 28 

 106. 94 

 106. 87 



106. 82 



107. 09 



Table 2. — Comparison of 1954 and 1955 rainfall, Barro Colorado Island (inches) 



BUILDINGS, EQUIPMENT, AND IMPROVEMENTS 



When the new laboratory building was constructed, the contractor 

 could not obtain United States lumber for the flooring, and lumber 

 cut and milled in Chiriqui, Panama, had to be used. During the year 

 dry-wood termite infestation was observed, and though the damago was 

 not extensive and appeared to be spreading slowly, immediate steps 

 were undertaken to correct this condition. All the floor paint was 

 scraped off and two very liberal brushings of Penta W-R were ap- 

 plied and allowed to soak in thoroughly. Since this treatment was 

 given, no further signs of termite activity have been seen. 



