Show Naturalists lists Busy on Canal Zone ENCOURAGING reports are being being re received re- re Ei E ENCOURAGING by the Smithsonian Institution Institution tion from the naturalists who are taking tak tak- taking ing part in the biological survey of the Panama canal zone which was organized or or- gnu by the institution last winter The fhe principal branches of natural history history history his his- tory are represented In the party which Includes seven experienced field natura naturalists nearly all of them from the scientific bureaus of the govern govern- ment Naturalists throughout the world are greatly Inter Interested sted in this biological survey because when the canal is opened sweeping changes probably will take place In the tho distribution of the animals and plants A Part of the tIie fresh water streams of the Isthmus now empty into the Atlantic ocean and others Into the Pacific It Is l known that a certain number of animals and plants In the streams on the Atlantic side differ from those Of t the tho Pacific side but as no biological survey has ever eyer been undertaken the extent and magnitude of these differ antes anCES have yet to be learned HOW r 4 r. r It also is of great importance to science to determine the geographical distribution of the various organisms inhabiting these waters as the Isthmus isthmus mus is one of the routes by which the animals and plants of ot South America have entered catered North America and vice versa When the cnn canal l Is completed the natural distinctions now existing willbe willbe will willbe be obliterated while by the construction construction construction tion of ot the Gatun dam a vast fresh water water water wa wa- ter lake lako will sill be formed which will drive away or drown the majority of or orthe the animals and plants now Inhabiting the tho locality and might exterminate before the scientific ome some of the species fes tile experts had a chance chanco to study them em y |