Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-11-05
THREE DIE IN PACT LIFE IN CANAL ZONE.
Study of Birds, Fish, Insects
and Monkeys.
RESEARCH BY SCIENTISTS
Subject of Addresses Before the
Biological Society-Data of
Interest to Naturalists.

Although Panama monkeys may have
lost the art Of Joining themselves into
a living chain and swinging them
selves to opposite trees on the banks
of the Chagres river to let their
mates. babies and weaker brethren
cross the stream without getting wet,
as they did In the days of Capt. Kidd,
Morgan and other buccaneers Of the
past. they still inhabit the land. and
are as numerous, noisy and mischiev-
Gus as ever. So stated E. A. Goldman.
a government naturalist. who discus
sed animal life of the Canal Zone be-
fore the Biological Society last night
Mr.. Goldman was one Of four gov
eminent naturalists sent to Panama
last winter to study the fauna OF the
Canal Zone. The others were S. E.
Meek. E. A. Schwartx and August
Busck They last night discussed the
work accomplished.
Mr. Goldman confined his Investigations
to birds and animals. Mr.. Meek to fish
and other marine nfe. and Messrs
Monkeys Driven Into Interior.
Work on the canal and the necessary
encroachments on the former domains OF
the monkeys by the canal workmen have
driven them generally into the interior.
Mr. Goldman said he found five distinct
species of the monkey family In the
iungles and mountains. Two species, ne
said were exceedingly rare, and were
discovered after arduous climbs among
the tropical hills. The other three species
were among the most numerous OF Pana-
man animal life.
Mr.. Goldman said he also found the
whitehall deer four or five specimens OF
opossums and number Of birds quite
similar to the robin. the lark. the ny
catchers and field sparrows OF the central
section of the United States. panama,
he added. was probably the southern
They are really more plentiful on
each side of the canal .Aan one would
imagine 1t made me feel quite at home
70 see Virginia venison In the select meat
Shops said Mr.. Goldman.
Species Of Fish.
Mr. Meek said there was quite dis
t,nction in different forms Of fish life IN
both the Atlantic and Pacific sides Of the
Zone. This was due primarily to time
aided by tidal and climatic influences.
The fresh water fish Of the Zone were
about the same as those found in other
no such difference he said. between the
fish of the Atlantic and Pacific waters as
had beeen noted in the salt water varie-
ties.
There are plenty of sharks on both
sides of the Zone They are big and ugly
and vicious. Those of the Pacific seem to
be the most voracious." Mr.. Meek said.
Mr. Meek said he and several associates
gathered q number Of fine salt water
specimens near the Gatun dam after 1t
had been pumped out by canal employees.
IIe found among the lot several 1OO-pound
Jewish, tarpon and skates.
Insect Life In Jungles.
Messrs Schwartz and Busck discussed
insect life generally in Central America
Both regretted that expeditions had not
been undertaken before the actual con-
struction OF the canal began. The work
has made comprehensive studies Of Canal
Zone insect life extremely oliflcult- They
also told of climatic and atmospheric in
fiuences on insect life In the 1ungles and
in the open.
when first went to Panama in 1907"
said Mr.. Busck. 81 considered It the finest
place In the world for the study Of mos
ouitoes / never saw so many varieties In
one place or one section. Now they are
SO scarce as to make 1t almost calamity
from the naturalist's standpoint I say
this with due respect for the Zones SAM
tary corps"
Following the addresses. different
phases OF the work accomplished by the
four men were discussed by members OF
the society.