142 ANWOAL REPORT SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION, 1963 



The Fuertes house and the houses at the end of Drayton trail are in 

 excellent condition. The old main laboratory is in good shape, except 

 for minor repairs, and can accommodate at least 20 scientists a day. 

 The Chapman house can still be used as a laboratory building, and 

 with a minimum of repairs should serve well for 5 years or more. 

 The buildings occupied by the warden-caretaker and the cook are in 

 good condition ; the one used by the laborers needs some repairs. The 

 plywood building at the tower was primarily a test for termites and 

 resin glues, and can still be used as a shelter. 



MOST URGENT NEEDS 



Most urgently needed is the rainwater reservoir. It is hoped that 

 the concrete for this can be poured early in the next fiscal year and 

 that funds will be available to cover it with concrete slabs, add the 

 necessary pipes, and divert the runoff from the aluminum roof into 

 the tank. Also, a new 2-horsepower electric motor to run the pump 

 must be purchased. With this reservoir we should have adequate 

 "safe" water to last through even a dry season. 



Next in importance is the need for electric wiring in the new build- 

 ing, water service for the lower floor, the installation of sinks, tables, 

 and shelves, so that at least the two main laboratory rooms (each ac- 

 commodating four persons) can be made available to scientists; and 

 the installation of exhaust fans, shelves, and other equipment in the 

 photographic dark room. Dehumidifiers will have to be purchased; 

 these are very necessary to prevent deterioration and corrosion from 

 the high himiidity. 



With these things accomplished, the library, herbarium, and index 

 cabinets can be transferred from the Haskins building to the new 

 building, and the kitchens moved to the fireproof Haskins building. 

 Purchase of an electric water heater for the kitchen, an urgent need, 

 has been approved. 



SCIENTISTS AND THEIR STUDIES 



The primary purpose of the Canal Zone Biological Area is to pro- 

 vide a safe and accessible area for scientific research in the lower 

 humid tropics in the Americas. Probably nowhere else in the world 

 can be found the combination of unspoiled tropical jungle and health- 

 ful laboratory surroundings. Here scientists find a profusion of 

 plants and animals and are able to carry on a wide variety of special 

 studies. 



During the 1953 fiscal year, 57 scientists came to the island. The 

 high cost of transportation prevents many from coming and also, in 



