SECRETARY'S REPORT 183 
the year was 97.97 inches. During 33 years of record the wettest year 
was 1935 with 148.42 inches, and the driest year was 1930, with 
only 76.57 inches. March was the driest month of 1957 (0.02 inch) 
and August the wettest (21.90 inches). The maximum records for 
short periods were: 5 minutes 1.30 inches; 10 minutes 1.65 inches; 
1 hour 4.11 inches; 2 hours 4.81 inches; 24 hours 10.48 inches. 
BUILDINGS, EQUIPMENT, AND IMPROVEMENTS 
Special attention was paid during the year to the improvement and 
expansion of existing facilities. 
The library on the island was greatly enlarged and altered and was 
moved to the lower floor of the new building to make it more accessible 
and provide space for improved arrangement of books. A great many 
new books and journals have been received, more will be added, and 
many old books and journals have been bound or rebound. A 
temporary librarian was engaged to catalog the whole collection, 
which should make it much more useful to visiting scientists and stu- 
dents. Air-conditioning was installed in the new library room in 
order to preserve the books and to provide greater comfort for persons 
using the library facilities. 
Two large aviaries and many smaller cages were built, and many 
species of Panamanian birds are now being kept in captivity on the 
island for experimental and observational purposes. New insect 
cages and vivaria have been ordered. Eight hygrothermographs 
were ordered making it possible to keep extensive records of tempera- 
ture and humidity conditions in different parts of the island. An 
Ampex 201 sound recorder, with accessories, and a Kodak K-100 turret 
camera were bought. A portable canvas blind was constructed for use 
in the field; and various minor items of trapping and laboratory 
equipment, including mist nets, an ultraviolet lamp, new dissecting 
kits, and thermometers were also purchased. 
A new 30-hp. Mercury outboard motor was bought to provide a 
means of rapid communication with the mainland in case of emergen- 
cies and also to facilitate fieldwork in the more remote regions of 
Gatun Lake and the Chagres River. A 4-hp. Dragonfly air-drive 
outboard motor was purchased to facilitate research work along the 
shoreline of the island and the adjacent mainland. Large tents, cots, 
and gasoline stoves were also obtained and will be available to scien- 
tists and students wishing to camp for a few days on the far side of 
the island. 
Many new items of office equipment, including two new typewriters, 
lamps, desks, tables, and chairs were purchased for use in the Balboa 
office at Diablo Heights and in the laboratory and library on the island. 
492520—59 18 
