62 SMITHSONIAN MISCELLANEOUS COLLECTIONS VOL. 60 



which had been flooded during- the hurricanes of 1906 and 1910, con- 

 tained practically no live Cerions, though dead ones were observed 

 in a number of places, and this caused one to wonder whether sea- 

 water might serve as a decided barrier to these forms. 



Little is known about the life history of Cerions. They are 

 remarkably variable, usually very restricted in their distribution, and 

 very abundant where they occur. They are very tenacious of life, 

 specimens having been kept in the U. S. National Museum for more 

 than eight years ; these occasionally leave the tray in which they are 

 placed and seek a new resting-place. Cerions are also not particular 

 about specific food, in fact they might be looked upon as " the goats " 

 among the mollusca. They are furthermore not readily affected by 

 changes in temperature. All these features indicate a remarkably 

 desirable subject for investigation, and the hope is entertained that 

 the various experiments to which they might be subjected will yield 

 information enabling one to understand what is meant by the protean 

 nature of this group. 



During this cruise careful color notes on about 160 marine animals 

 were made, which were found very desirable in retinting the spec- 

 imens which are now being installed in the faunal marine invertebrate 

 exhibit of the National Museum. 



COMPLETION OF THE SMITHSONIAN BIOLOGICAL SURVEY OF 

 THE PANAMA CANAL ZONE 



In carrying on the biological survey of the Panama Canal Zone, 

 inaugurated in 1910, the Smithsonian had the cooperation of several 

 g( ivernment bureaus, including the Bureau of Fisheries of the Depart- 

 ment of Commerce and Labor; the Bureau of Entomology and the 

 Biological Survey of the Department of Agriculture; the Isthmian 

 Canal Commission, and the Panama Railroad Company, under the 

 War Department, etc. The Field Museum of Natural History of 

 Chicago also took part in the investigation of the fish faunas. 



The field-party for 1912 included Mr. E. A. Goldman, of the 

 Biological Survey, Mr. August Putsch', of the Bureau of Entomology, 

 and Dr. Charles D. Marsh, of the Bureau of Plant Industry, all 

 of the Department of Agriculture; also Professor H. Pittier, of the 

 same Department, who remained in the field during nearly the whole 

 period of the survey. Dr. Setli E. Meek represented the Field 

 Museum, and Mr. S. F. I [ildebrand, the Bureau of Fisheries. 



The first party sailed from New York on the Panama on January 

 (), 1 1) 1 j, and arrived at the Canal Zone January 15, whence the differ- 

 ent members departed for their respective collecting grounds. 



