REPORT OF THE SECRETARY 137 



These include insecticides and repellents, warm-weather clothing and 

 footgear, a new type of salt tablet for men perspiring profusely, etc. 

 In addition to all of the above, the island is a wonderful place for a 

 boreal biologist to broaden his outlook." — Grover C. Pitts. 



"With reference to my visit to B. C. I., I certainly want to put in my 

 plug. I surely enjoyed my visit there, not only with reference to my 

 work, but with reference to the many, many other phases of study 

 adapted to the area. I certainly had my eyes opened as to jimgle con- 

 ditions and the flora and fauna therein. I have never been in a place 

 where so many phases of biology in general could be so interestingly 

 studied and all from the same roof. The beauty of the flowers and 

 colorful birds still stands out in my memories of B. C. I., not to forget 

 tlie hours I sat and watched the busy little monkeys playing in the 

 trees. 



"The fellowship which I experienced with the fellow scientists work- 

 ing and visiting the island, as well as the friendly reception of the 

 native people welcoming me to B. C. I., is an experience never to be 

 forgotten." — Eugene L. Middleswart. 



"To the visitors of the Barro Colorado Laboratory ! May they get 

 from the trails in the rain forest such an inspiration as will last them 

 through life and make them ardent protectors of the tropical forests 

 of the world, for without their aid these marvels of beauty will surely 

 disappear forever." — David Faiechild. 



"I take up my pen with the greatest of pleasure to record the out- 

 standing impressions left by my recent visit to Barro Colorado Island. 

 When I recall the expeditions I have made into Central American 

 jungles, the great expense involved, and the meager equipment per- 

 mitted by pack-mule transportation, the difficulties encountered and 

 the usual sequellae of tropical malaria and dysentery, it is only natural 

 that I should be struck first of all by the propinquity and safety of 

 Barro Colorado Island. 



"Just to think that one can drop off a chair car at a railway station 

 in a civilized community, and after half an hour's launch ride find 

 one's self in the heart of virgin tropical forest, is to feel a wave of 

 admiration for the foresight of those who secured the reservation of 

 this great tract to scientific purposes. It is a biologist's fantasy come 

 true, and I hope as time goes on that more and more of our scientific 

 institutions will come to its support, so that the potentialities of the 

 laboratoi-y can be developed in all directions, and utilized to the full at 

 all times of the year. 



"I believe there is nothing like it in the world. There are great 

 botanical and zoological gardens in the Tropics which represent an 

 attempt to facilitate man's acquaintance with tropical nature by trans- 

 porting the flora and fauna to some easily accessible place. Barro 



