6 ANNUAL REPORT SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION, 1911. 
the bounds of that country, which was done with gratifying results 
as far as the limited means and time permitted. 
As stated in my last report, it seemed to be highly important to 
science that such a survey of the Canal Zone be made, for, although 
it was known in a general way that a certain number of species of 
animals and plants in the fresh-water streams on the Atlantic side 
of the Isthmus were different from those on the Pacific side, no defi- 
nite knowledge of the extent of these differences had been acquired. 
It also seemed important to determine exactly the geographical dis- 
tribution of the various organisms inhabiting the Isthmus, which is 
one of the routes by which the animals and plants of South America 
have entered North America and vice versa. When the Panama 
Canal is completed the organisms of the various watersheds will be 
offered a ready means of mingling together, the natural distinctions 
as regards distribution now existing will be obliterated, and the data 
for a true understanding of the fauna and flora will be placed for- 
ever out of reach. Moreover, a great fresh-water lake will be cre- 
ated by the construction of the Gatun Dam, and the majority of the 
animals and plants inhabiting that locality will be driven away or 
drowned, and quite possibly some species may be exterminated before 
they become known to science. 
BIOLOGICAL EXPEDITION IN CANADA. 
Through the courtesy of the Canadian Government and of Dr. 
A. O. Wheeler, president of the Alpine Club of Canada, the Smith- 
sonian Institution was enabled to send a small party of naturalists 
to accompany Dr. Wheeler on his topographical survey of the British 
Columbia and Alberta boundary line and the Mount Robson region. 
The party started in June, 1911. 
The region to be surveyed includes a most rugged and broken 
country in the midst of the Canadian Rockies, abounding in a great 
variety of animals and plants, and it is expected that the expedition 
will result in a large and valuable collection of birds, mammals, 
insects, and plants to be added to the National Museum series. 
RAINEY EXPEDITION IN AFRICA. 
Mr. Paul J. Rainey, of New York City, having planned a hunting 
and collecting trip of several months’ duration in Africa, offered to 
present to the Institution the natural history material obtained dur- 
ing the trip if there could be sent with him some person skilled in 
the preparation of specimens. Mr. Rainey generously offered to 
bear all the expenses of the trip. The route of travel was to be north 
of that of the recent Smithsonian African expedition, through the 
country lying between the northern portion of British Kast Africa 
and the southern part of Abyssinia. Mr. Edmund Heller, who was 
