160 ANNUAL REPORT SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION, 1957 



microscopes, microscope lamp, binoculars, a spotting telescope, port- 

 able typewriter, 4-by-5 Crown Graphic camera, tripod, telephoto lens, 

 exposure meter, photographic enlarger, projection screen, thermo- 

 graph, hygrograph, small and large live-mammal traps, insect nets, 

 and a metal label embosser. Some of this equipment was donated by 

 the General Biological Supply House. Many needed reference books 

 and a subscription to Ecology were purchased. To facilitate shoreline 

 exploration, two 12-foot cayucos were acquired. 



James Zetek, soon after his retirement, gave to the island most of his 

 extensive biological library. This created the major task of transfer- 

 ring hundreds of books and reprints from the Balboa Office to Barro 

 Colorado Island. With the former island library these publications 

 are now shelved in dehumidified rooms of the new laboratory. One 

 large room of the laboratory is used as a stockroom for supplies which 

 scientists may borrow. Almost the entire present stock of vials, flasks, 

 graduates, and other laboratory glassware, as well as most of the 

 chemicals, was donated by Mr. Zetek. The herbarium, bird skins, 

 and alcoholic collections were also moved to the new laboratory. Now 

 all indoor scientific work may be carried on in this one building, well 

 separated from eating, sleeping, recreational, and other living areas. 



The administrative office was moved from Mr. Zetek's house in Bal- 

 boa to a building in nearby Diablo Heights. 



PLANS AND URGENT REQUIREMENTS 



Inasmuch as the large wooden water-storage tank near the kitchen 

 may not last even a few more years, the possibility of supplementing 

 stored rainwater with spring water during the dry season has been in- 

 vestigated. A spring was located about 1,000 feet from the concrete 

 water tank at the new laboratory, and 40 feet above the level of this 

 tank. As this spring continued to run throughout the abnormal dry 

 season of early 1957, it should be enclosed and the water piped to 

 the concrete storage tank. It is doubtful, however, that this addi- 

 tional water supply will eliminate the need to replace the wooden 

 water tank. But, with the spring water, a moderate-sized replace- 

 ment tank may suffice. 



The short bridge from the Frijoles dock to the shore must be re- 

 built. Materials have been obtained. Most of the ties forming the 

 walkway from this dock to the railroad station need replacement. The 

 trackway from dock to station should be straightened and lengthened, 

 to facilitate the handling of heavy loads. An unloading ramp to aid 

 in carrying gravel, machinery, and other heavy materials from a 

 freight car to the launch is also needed at Frijoles. 



Among other projects planned for the coming year on Barro Col- 

 orado Island are the following : completion of bridge, trackway, and 



