4MK3 
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Barro Colorado Island, believe In its future 0 Nothing would 
gladden the cockles of their hearts (and mine) than to see this 
faith reciprocated in a tangible manner by our friends, scientists, 
conservationists, institutions of learning,--more table subscrip¬ 
tions, donations, students, and particularly grants., Certainly 
the island deserves even more. 
To carry all of this heavy burden without help means that 
you start off as if twins, then as if triplets, before you know 
it, as if quads or quints. It Is a glorious feeling, except 
that you can't keep up such a pace forever, and the day comes 
when' you must pay. In my case It was mid-August 1953 when the 
collector came in the form of an auricular fibrillation, a func¬ 
tional disturbance, fortunately controlled by Quinidine sulfate. 
The instigator was overwork, and the remedy a long rest. I 
went to Guayaquil to stay with my daughter. I stayed with her 
till mid-March this year, when I returned and got back in the 
saddle. 
It was most fortunate that my former associate, Mrs. Adela 
Gomez, who knew well the island and its multiple chores, was 
able to step in despite the demands on her time,--her home, 
three children, a husband, and a very sick mother. This eased 
my anxiety as to the island. We can never repay her enough. 
Fortunately also, Dr. Soper, director of the Eastman Kodak 
Tropical Research Laboratory stepped in' to give Mrs. Gomez and 
the island the benefit of his technical knowledge, especially 
when the going was tough. Without these two kind souls, no 
one knows what the picture would have been. 
During my stay in Ecuador, a memorable meeting was held 
in Washington, scientists and alumni of Barro Colorado assembled, 
quite a number coming long distances and paying their expenses, 
to discuss with Dr. Carmichael the Island and its future. There 
was no question as to which way the wind was blowing. The island 
must have more adequate financial support, and its facilities 
increased. 
As to myself, I feel fine. There Is much to do and I am 
not to overwork. Within about two years I shall be 70 years, 
i|5 of these spent In these tropics,--it means I must retire 
and someone else will have the pleasures and the headaches. I 
do not know who will be the fortunate one. 
I would welcome suggestions, and constructive criticisms. 
I also want to have correct addresses, there are many whose 
addresses at present are unknown. 
