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some have studied abroad. All speak some English. They have passed several 

 months in training in every aspect of collection-handling. With the arrival at 

 MMSC of large collections, the original technicians will help in the training 

 of new technicians, added as the demands for services increase. 



The Center sorts collections of the Institut National d'Oceanographie, which 

 has continuing sampling programs for fishes, benthos, and plankton. Some 

 plankton has been sent to MMSC by the Stazione Zoologica in Naples. Many 

 quantitative benthos and sediment samples have been received from a recent 

 Yugoslavian-Tunisian survey of the Lake of Tunis, a brackish, eutropic lagoon. 

 The Institute for Sea Research at Portoroz, Yugoslavia, provided 174 plankton 

 samples from the northern Adriatic Sea. Three specimen groups (cladocerans, 

 chaetognaths, and fish eggs and larvae) had been committed by the Institute 

 for Sea Research and MMSC was asked to distribute the remaining groups 

 to approved specialists. Mediterranean-Red Sea collections from many sources 

 will be accepted by MMSC for processing and distribution. 



Mr. Chairman, in summary, let me note that since the days of Baird, 

 the Smithsonian Institution has conducted research in biological oceanography, 

 ichthyology, and marine geology. We are in this context an important scientific 

 and intellectual resource for the Nation in the development of its national 

 oceanographic program. 



I thank you. 



Mr. EoGEKS. Thank you for an excellent presentation. We are very 

 grateful to you. 



Mr. Eeinecke ? 



Mr. Reinecke. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. It is a fine presentation. 



Dr. Galler. Thank you. 



Mr. Reinecke. I am interested in knowing — I believer the Smith- 

 sonian has a member on the Marine Council, does it not ? 



Dr. Galler. Yes, sir, Mr. Congressman; Secretary Ripley is the 

 Smithsonian's representative. 



Mr. Eeinecke. And there is actual liaison there and coordination ? 



Dr. Galler. Yes, there is. 



Mr. Reinecke. Do you find many of the other agencies of govern- 

 ment coming to you for help or coordination in this field? 



Dr. Galler. There is a continual exchange, Mr. Reinecke, of infor- 

 mation, and to be very specific, indeed yes, we have numerous requests 

 from the Department of Interior, from the Navy and from other 

 R. & D. agencies or R. & D. components of other agencies for identi- 

 fication of materials. 



The sorting center is trying to respond to them. 



Mr. Reinecke. You also respond to them ? 



Dr. Galler. Very much. 



Mr. Reinecke. One other question. 



Regarding the laboratory in Panama, do you anticipate any prob- 

 lems down there because of the pending political problems in the 

 treaty negotiations ? 



Dr. Galler. No, sir ; we do not. 



Forgive me if it sounds as if we are being rather paradoxical, but 

 the Smithsonian Institution has a rather enviable position in Panama. 

 We are well liked, respected and considered to be neutral and "apoliti- 

 cal," if you please. 



Mr. Reinecke. Thank you very much. 



Mr. Rogers. Mr. Edwards ? 



Mr. Edwards. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. 



Doctor, you have given us a good presentation this morning. I 

 gather from what you say that you see the Smithsonian's role in the 



