The San Francisco call., 1909-11-14

coast forms, Is not easily available to
residents OF this region, who will more
naturally look TO this promising nucleus
at Berkeley as a center Of geological
interest and OF opportunity for ex-
haustive study Of the vertebrates OF the
Pacific slope.
During the summer OF last year Jo-
seph GrinnelI directed five collectors
IN different fields, and this year two
other parties of collectors besides the
one In Nevada were put at work. OF
these Frank Stephens headed the first,
which started from San Diego in March.
crossing the Colorado desert to Yuma
On the return they were TO have come
by way OF the Mojave desert to Teha-
chapi. but Mr.. stephens I'll health
caused him to abandon the trip in
July. In April Harry Swarth, accom-
panied by Allen Hasselborg. local
prospector and guide, started south
from Juneau. Alaska. in a small power
boat, intending to spend six months ex-
ploring the larger islands and parts OF
the mainland between there and Dixon
entrance The territory north and west
of this route had been partially covered
by the expeditions Of the two previous
years. when many new species Of small
mammals and birds We're discovered.
and he has already sent In material or
fresh interest, as have also the mem
bers of the southern expedition and
those OF Miss Alexander's own party
which left in May. Miss Alexander her
self has returned home IN advance Of
her companions, whose researches
promise much for the museum.
The work of classifying and cata-
loguing these new acquisitions takes
many months, and the official report OF
the 1907 expedition was not issued until
February of this year. While most or
its contents IS OF a technical nature.
there are yet many Items OF interest to
the lay reader regarding the haunts and
habits OF wild things in the far north.
and the careful and systematic COM
piIation of these data. with the classi-
fed lists OF all new species discovered.
which accompanies them. makes the
publication of permanent value.
Capable Staff of Instructors
Joseph Grinnell. NJ A. came to
Berkeley to take charge OF the museum
from the Throop polytechnic insti-
tute of Pasadena. where he was pro-
fessor of biology In addition to his
duties of experimenting all the ac-
tivities of this institution. he Is regu-
lar instructor in the university and was
also a member of the summer school
faculty this year. giving a course OF
lectures on ornithology and another on
the subject of California verteorates
in general. These were well attended
by nature lovers. who enjoyed the same
privileges for research work that are
accorded the regular students. The
zoology classes are easily accommo-
dated in the well lighted study or tho
museum building itself. for as yet they
are not very large. and this arrange
ment facilitates the Using of speci-
mems for Illustration of topics assigned
and for independent investigation after
the lecture hour.
The two other acting members Of the
museum staff are Harry c. Swarth.
curator of birds. now in Alaska. as
already stated, and w. p. Taylor.
assistant curator OF mammals. 3D.
mund Heller, who was appointed cur
ator of mammals. Is absent on In
definite leave with Roosevelt's African
expedition under the direction OF the
Smithsonian Institution
Since the energies of the STAN are so
largely devoted to the directing OF
expeditions for collection throughout
the greater part OF the year. and 50
small a corps OF assistants Is main
tanned at the home station. IL can
easily be seen that for the present the
labor of classifying and cataloguing
must proceed at disadvantages
But as future attention Is drawn TO
the great enterprise so auspiciously
launched at Berkeley's famous univer-
sity it is probable that other philan-
thropists and other collectors. emulat-
ing Miss Alexander's zeal and benevo-
lence In the cause OF natural science.
will interest themselves In furthering
its welfare and increasing the scope
OF Its usefulneszA