112 SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION 



The morning of September 19 saw us under way for the home 

 port of the Guillcnnifo, San Juan, Porto Rico, which we reached on 

 September 24, completing a cruise — or may I say an inspection tour 

 or collecting trip — which my hopes had let me long for, but which my 

 fondest dreams had scarcely permitted me to believe possible of ac- 

 complishment within the time allotted. Great credit for this is due 

 to Captain Bonano and his crew. The collections of moUusks obtained 

 are sufficient to enable me to give an adequate treatment of them in the 

 future. Their study in the field makes intelligible the problem of their 

 distribution. 



For the opportunity of making this study I am greatly indebted to 

 the officials of the Smithsonian Institution and I am equally grateful 

 to our Department of State for its eft'orts on my liehalf with foreign 

 governments, and to the representatives of those governments in the 

 various islands for their unvarying courtesy and help. 



