CRUISE OF THE BARRERA 



originally described by European authors. The 

 types of these, that is to say, the actual specimens 

 described, are in Europe, and their descriptions 

 and figures are often inadequate and faulty. A 

 real desideratum then was a full collection of 

 Cuban marine mollusks to compare with those of 

 Florida from similar depth zones. 



In March, 19 14, I consulted with Doctor Carlos 

 de la Torre in Havana about the details of such 

 a collecting trip. In his opinion the richest field 

 would be found among the Colorados Reefs of 

 Western Cuba, extending from Cape San Antonio 

 to Bahia Honda, where, within their living coral 

 breakwaters, a large expanse of shallow protected 

 sea would likely favor a flourishing marine life. 

 An additional feature of interest attaching to this 

 particular region lay in the fact that it is uncharted 

 and to the naturalist almost unknown. Oppor- 

 tunity for some real exploration, and for possible 

 discoveries of interest, would greatly enhance the 

 pleasure of a visit to the Colorados, and we were 

 delighted with the thought of untouched coral 

 reefs, unvisited islands, and many hundred square 

 miles of crystalline tropic waters. Besides all this, 

 exceptional opportunities for shore work and 



