138 ROBERT M. YERKES 



is its satisfactoriness for the life and scientific productiveness 

 of the observer. While certain tropical localities would meet 

 the first requirement perfectly, they would prove extremely un- 

 satisfactory for research activity. It therefore seems essential 

 to find a region whose climate shall reasonably meet the needs 

 of the experimenter while adequately meeting those of the 

 animals to be studied. 



A further factor which has important bearing upon the pro- 

 ductiveness of the observer is the degree of isolation from civili- 

 zation and from other scientific work. No scientist can long 

 work effectively, even in a reasonably healthy and stimulating 

 climate, if entirely cut off from similar interests and activities. 

 It is therefore desirable, if at all possible, to discover a location 

 in the midst of civilization and with reasonably good oppor- 

 tunities for scientific associations. 



With these several desiderata before us, I shall call attention 

 to a number of possible sites for a station, several of which I 

 have visited. Southern California, and especially the portion 

 of the State between Santa Barbara and San Diego, promises 

 fairly well. It is definitely known that certain, if not all, spe- 

 cies of monkey will breed there fairly satisfactorily, and al- 

 though it has not yet been demonstrated, there is no reason 

 to suppose that in certain regions the anthropoid apes might 

 not also be kept in perfect health and successfully bred. The 

 main advantages of this general region are (a) a climate which 

 promises to be reasonably satisfactory for many if not all of 

 the primates; (b) admirable climatic conditions for investiga- 

 tors; (c) wholly satisfactory scientific and cultural environment 

 for the staff of a station. The most significant disadvantages 

 are (a) a temperature, which is at times a trifle too low for the 

 comfort of certain of the monkeys and apes. It is by no means 

 certain, however, that they would not usually adapt themselves 

 to it. (b) The necessity of importing all of the animals and of 

 having to rely upon successful acclimatization. Of course it 

 is to be assumed that importation would be necessary only at 

 the outset of such work, since the animals later should replenish 

 themselves within the confines of the station. 



Florida offers possibilities somewhat similar to those of south- 

 ern California, but as I have not had opportunity to examine 

 the conditions myself, I can say only that in view of such infor- 



