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SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION  1237

the Smithsonian Institution, and various others. Dr. Thomas Barbour of the Museum of Comparative Zoology at Harvard was especially active in its growth.

So much valuable scientific work came from this laboratory that the Congress set it aside permanently as a reserve under the name Canal Zone Biological Area, in an act effective July 2, 1940. The laboratory under this act was established as an independent agency under a Board of Directors composed of the Secretaries of War, Agriculture, Interior, and the Smithsonian Institution, the President of the National Academy of Sciences, and three distinguished biologists appointed by the President of the National Academy as Chairman of the Board. The Secretary of the Smithsonian served as Vice Chairman.

In the process of unification of governmental agencies, the Canal Zone Biological Area has now become a part of the Smithsonian, where it will be administered under the office of the Secretary. The reorganization plan abolished the former Board as the controlling body, but it has seemed desirable to continue this as an advisory board composed of representatives of the departments originally concerned, to secure desired support and cooperation for the activity. The Act of foundation carries authorization for an appropriation of $10,000 per year. Support at the present time has been in the neighborhood of $12,000.

Barro Colorado Island has been the site of a wide variety of studies and of tests of material under tropical conditions. The latter, under way at the present time, include an extensive set-up for testing termite-proofing of wood samples, tropical deterioration of ply-woods, textiles and packaging containers, and the effect of fungi on optical glass

A.W.