140 ANNUAL REPORT SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION, 1951 



larly in regard to population, fluctuations, and host-fruit relations. 

 The new building just erected embodies the very latest improvements 

 in termite protection, bat-proofing, and (with a more dependable and 

 adequate supply of electricity) humidity-temperature control for the 

 protection of the library, herbarium, microscopes, balances, and other 

 delicate laboratory apparatus. In addition he made a detailed study 

 of the problem of electricity sources, evaluating the pros and cons of 

 generators on the island, both Diesel and others, and the use of current 

 from the Panama Canal line — the logical and economical solution, 

 as set forth earlier in this report. The Bureau of Entomology and 

 Plant Quarantine tests with soil poisons were continued. The large 

 Berlese funnel was kept in operation and yielded an abundance of rare 

 insects, mites, and other forms difficult to find in any other way. 



The following quotation from a letter from the late Dr. Thomas 

 Barbour to President Hopkins of Dartmouth College, June 17, 1931, 

 aptly defines the general purpose of the Canal Zone Biological Area : 



"I don't think I have ever received a letter that warmed the cockles 

 of my heart more immediately than did your letter of June 15th 

 * * *. No man ever goes to Barro Colorado Island without being 

 a more inspiring teacher on his return. This remark has been made 

 to me by men connected with over a dozen institutions. I emphasize 

 tliis feature because so much has been said of the opportunities for 

 research that I sometimes feel that the opportunity for just the plain 

 broadening of man's mental horizon has not always been sufficiently 

 emphasized." 



VISITORS 



There were fewer visitors this year than the year before. Among 

 numerous others were the following : The Honorable John M. Vorys, 

 Member of Congress from Ohio and a Regent of the Smithsonian 

 Institution, with his family; Col. Standley Carpenter, in charge of 

 the army malaria work on the Isthmus; Marvin Keenan, in charge 

 of the army's sanitation ; The Honorable Monett Davis, Ambassador 

 to Panama, with his family ; several Boy Scout and Girl Scout troops 

 with their leaders, and also a large group of these leaders; Irving 

 Johnson and members of the Yankee; students from LaSalle College 

 and Miramar College of Panama, with their professors; Frank E. 

 Masland, Jr., and family ; members of the Balboa Camera Club ; Dr. 

 John B. Chadwick of Gorgas Hospital ; several groups of high-school 

 students from Panama and their teachers; Dr. J. Russell Smith, of 

 Colombia University ; Dr. Norman Elton, director of the Gorgas Board 

 of Health Laboratory and members of his staff; a large group from 

 the Cristobal High School ; William E. Lundy of Balboa, Don Biery 



