62 SMITHSONIAN MISCELLANEOUS COLLECTIONS VOL. 60 
which had been flooded during the hurricanes of 1906 and 1910, con- 
tained practically no live Cerions, though dead ones were observed 
in a number of places, and this caused one to wonder whether sea- 
water might serve as a decided barrier to these forms. 
Little is known about the life history of Cerions. They are 
remarkably variable, usually very restricted in their distribution, and 
very abundant where they occur. They are very tenacious of life, 
specimens having been kept in the U. S. National Museum for more 
than eight years; these occasionally leave the tray in which they are 
placed and seek a new resting-place. Cerions are also not particular 
about specific food, in fact they might be looked upon as “ the goats” 
among the mollusca. They are furthermore not readily affected by 
changes in temperature. All these features indicate a remarkably 
desirable subject for investigation, and the hope is entertained that 
the various experiments to which they might be subjected will yield 
information enabling one to understand what is meant by the protean 
nature of this group. 
During this cruise careful color notes on about 160 marine animals 
were made, which were found very desirable in retinting the spec- 
imens which are now being installed in the faunal marine invertebrate 
exhibit of the National Museum. 
COMPLETION OF THE SMITHSONIAN BIOLOGICAL SURVEY OF 
THE PANAMA CANAL ZONE 
In carrying on the biological survey of the Panama Canal Zone, 
inaugurated in 1910, the Smithsonian had the codperation of several 
government bureaus, including the Bureau of Fisheries of the Depart- 
ment of Commerce and Labor; the Bureau of Entomology and the 
Biological Survey of the Department of Agriculture; the Isthmian 
Canal Commission, and the Panama Railroad Company, under the 
War Department, ete. The Field Museum of Natural History of 
Chicago also took part in the investigation of the fish faunas. 
The field-party for 1912 included Mr. E. A. Goldman, of the 
Biological Survey, Mr. August Busck, of the Bureau of Entomology, 
and Dr. Charles D. Marsh, of the Bureau of Plant Industry, all 
of the Department of Agriculture; also Professor H. Pittier, of the 
same Department, who remained in the field during nearly the whole 
period of the survey. Dr. Seth E. Meek represented the Field 
Museum, and Mr. S. F. Hildebrand, the Bureau of Fisheries. 
The first party sailed from New York on the Panama on January 
9, 1912, and arrived at the Canal Zone January 15, whence the differ- 
ent members departed for their respective collecting grounds. 
