62 
PACIFIC SCIENCE, January, 1947 
expansion of the livestock industry. Although 
scattered reports are available on the occurrence 
of parasitic diseases of man in Micronesia, very 
little is known about their actual prevalence; nor 
is much known about parasites which affect do¬ 
mestic animals. Information acquired through the 
present study and similar explorations planned for 
the future should assist in the adoption of more 
adequate health measures for man and, through 
parasite control, improved quality and quantity 
of animal products. The geography of parasitic 
diseases of the Pacific area and the factors respon¬ 
sible for the spread of such diseases need much 
investigation in order to formulate intelligent con¬ 
trol measures. 
The major purpose of the trip was to collect 
ectoparasites and endoparasites of economically 
important animals such as cattle, swine, and poul¬ 
Survey of Micronesia by U. S 
An economic survey of Micronesia by 25 spe¬ 
cialists attached to the U. S. Commercial Company 
was completed in the autumn of 1946. It was 
carried out primarily to discover how fully these 
formerly Japanese-mandated islands could be de¬ 
veloped to promote the welfare of the native 
populations. 
A comprehensive report is in preparation for the 
benefit of government agencies and others con¬ 
cerned. It is expected that this will contain factual 
data of value in determining future policies with 
reference to the islands, particularly as regards the 
fostering of a self-sustaining native economy and 
the avoiding of commercial exploitation. 
Teams of scientists were assigned to remain in 
the various areas for a minimum of 3 months of 
observation. In addition to six area economists, 
specialists on the study included botanists, hor- 
try, and to investigate the possible occurrence of 
murine leptospirosis or Weil’s disease in Micro¬ 
nesia. Data collected in the Hawaiian Islands in¬ 
dicated that this disease might be widespread in 
the Pacific area where rainfall is usually high and 
rodents (the agency which usually transmits the 
disease) are abundant. A number of rodents were 
trapped in the Caroline Islands. Examination of 
kidney samples from these rodents for leptospirae 
will provide a basis for better judgment on the 
recognition and control of this disease in man. 
Dr. Alicata also carried on a study of the inci¬ 
dence of helminthic infection among the natives ; 
of Ponape and Truk. He experimented as well 
with the use of copper sulfate preparations for 
control of the giant land snails which destroy 
much island vegetation. 
Commercial Company, 1946 
ticulturists, agronomists, animal husbandry spe¬ 
cialists, entomologists, soils experts, nutritionists, 
mineral geologists, water geologists, fish special¬ 
ists, and specialists in handicrafts. 
An LCI, made available by the Navy, carried the 
several specialists from island to island throughout 
Micronesia, and in port served them as a floating 
laboratory and base of operations. This vessel 
returned to Honolulu at the end of the survey, 
carrying specimens, records, and samples of native- 
made products. Many of these latter will find 
their way into the collection of the Bishop Mu¬ 
seum. 
The study was carried on originally under the 
direction of Dr. Douglas L. Oliver, who retired in 
September as head of the agency for the Middle 
Pacific. At present the work is headed by Richard 
B. Black, former expedition director. 
