In an after starboard room aboard the Velero 

 III there's an impressive array of comphcated instruments, lights, 

 cameras, projectors, tools, and carefully arranged dozens of lenses, 

 plates, filters, slides and attachments. 



When the ship is at anchor, usually in some isolated bay far 

 from the haunts of man, one may peer into the laboratory, guided 

 by the whirr of a motion picture camera, and see a pinpoint of 

 light focused on the slide of a large microscope. 



A serious, tense individual may be dimly observed working 

 with a maze of micrometric adjustments. This will be one of the 

 able technicians attached to the expeditions. 



Probably he will be taking motion pictures in color of some 

 unusual microscopic denizen of the ocean, a minute organism in- 

 visible to the unaided eye. This microscope is one of the finest 

 instruments made, probably the only one of its kind in the west. 



Data permanently recorded in the field by the use of this 

 microscope are of immense importance to scientists. Most marine 

 specimens lose their natural coloring within a few moments after 

 they are taken from their native habitat. Motion pictures taken 

 on the Velero with the aid of the microscope provide one means 

 of preserving natural colors and actions of the specimens obtained. 

 These comprise important records for science, and aid visual educa- 

 tion in universities and museums. 



There are two other dark rooms aboard, furnished with special 

 equipment to promote the best possible results from expedition 

 work. Developing, printing and enlarging of still pictures can be 

 carried on under favorable conditions at sea. 



Light, heat and humidity in tropical waters multiply complex 

 problems for the photographic section. Many ingenious devices 

 and methods have been worked out to surmount difficulties that 

 arise. Refrigeration units maintain proper temperatures for film, 

 paper and developing agents and electric heat is used for drying. 

 Dark rooms are the most complete that could be installed on sea- 

 going craft. 



Camera equipment is chosen for its versatility and usefulness 

 under the most difficult conditions. Atmospheric changes are 

 extreme and often rapid in the tropics. Variations in light some- 

 97 times may be extraordinary. 



