lillODIIEIIIIi 



Uhould one descend from the loftiest mountain 

 peak to the seashore, and possess the aquatic abihty to continue on 

 to the ocean's greatest depth, he would discern that life is most 

 abundant along coastal regions of the sea. At extremes of elevation 

 or abyssal depths few active creatures exist. 



As though to strike a balance somewhere in the median plane 

 where land and water meet, the earth's lowlands are most produc- 

 tive and shallow waters seethe with living organisms. Continental 

 shelves and littoral zones of insular shorelines are most thickly pop- 

 ulated. Yet comparatively little is known concerning marine 

 biology or related branches of marine science. 



Salt water covers three fifths of the globe. In the abstract it 

 has long been recognized that marine organisms and oceanic 

 phenomena play a most important part in the complex organization 

 of nature. But scientists have scarcely scratched the surface of 

 potential knowledge to be gleaned from critical examination into 

 the mysteries of the sea. 



Recognizing an almost virgin field for scientific investigation 

 in the myriad forms of tidal zone flora and fauna, Captain Allan 

 Hancock many years ago became interested in marine exploration. 

 Moved by a pioneering spirit, this interest developed a series of 

 projects which have resulted in lasting contributions to the ad- 

 vancement of zoology, botany and related branches of science. 



Perpetuation of the work begun is assured by the Allan Han- 

 cock Foundation for Scientific Research on the campus of the 

 University of Southern California in Los Angeles, and the presen- 

 tation to the university of the exploration cruiser Velero III. These 

 gifts symbolize a purpose and an ideal. There was purpose in pro- 

 viding means for the extension of frontiers of knowledge and ideal- 

 ism in making it possible for the greatest number of persons to 

 benefit from results achieved. 



Over a period of more than two decades, voyages of the motor 

 cruiser Velero III and her predecessor craft have accumulated a 

 vast amount of data and materials that are highly prized by scien- 

 tists and treasured by institutions sharing in the collections. Annual 

 cruises have systematically covered western coast lines of the 

 Americas from the Golden Gate of San Francisco Bay to the waters 

 of Peru and Chile. They have included exploration of the length 



