Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-01-31

Smithsonian Scientist Dis
covers Rare CruStaCea on
;, Coast of South America.

"a crab which haunts the beaches by
night and hides in the daytime Is
among the interesting specimens OBJ
tained by DR.. Waldo L. Schmitt of the
smithsonian Institution on an expedi-
tfon in South America. DR.. Schmitt
Hound the beaches at Santa Elena.
Ecuador, honeycombed with crabs of
this species-the Ocypodes. In the
daytime they are not to be seen. At
night they are dazzled by flashlights
and can easily he picked up.
DR.. Schmitt. who is curator of ma
rine invertebrates at the National Mu-
scum, under the Smithsonian. left here
four months ago to make a survey of
crabs, shrimpS and similar forms along
the west coast of South America. He
writes that he has just passed through
the Straits of Magellan and has ar
rived at Punta Arenas, whence he viii
go to the Falkland Islands to conclude
his exploration. He is expected back
in this country about March l.
New Specimen of Crab.
DR.. Schmitt is travelling alone. seek
Ing specimens of marine Crustacea and
packing his finds with only such ma
tive help as can be obtained. He has
touched at many points in Ecuador.
Peru and Chile, conducting a survey
cean forms are to be found in album
dance. In Ecuador DR.. Schmitt also
found specimens of the genus Uroge-
bia, rare animals that have never
been found on the west coast before.
They are tiny. shrimp-like crustacea,
able to bore holes in stone. An en-
tirely new species of crab. it is
thought, was discovered by DR..
Schmitt among other tiny porcellanids
attached to sea urchins.
The purpose of DR.. Schmitt's eXpe-
dition is to enlarge the scientific
knowledge of marine forms. There
. has previously been little knowledge
of the fauna on the west coast of
South America. DR.. Schmitt has been
looking particularly for specimens OF
crabs which will help Miss Mary j.
Rathbun, an associate of the Smith
aonian Institution in making complete
her monograph on the crabs of Amer
lea, two volumes of which have already
been published. He is also sending
many specimens of algae to William
Randolph Taylor, a botanist at the
University of Pennsylvania, who is
making g, special study in this field
In addition. DR.. Schmitt is considering
the economic possibilities in connec-
ton with shrimpS and crabs in the ter
ritory he is covering.
Picked Up by Hand.
In collecting specimens DR.. Schmitt
uses dredges and hand nets. Because
of the difficulty of getting motor boats
in the places visited, he is able to
make little use of the dredges. Most
of the specimens are picked up by
hand. DIR. Schmitt has with him sew
eral collection chests, fitted with bot
ties, and several 16-gallon tanks for
conveying the specimens. Some he
has shipped in gasoline tins -four
along the way The crustacea are lat
in 20 per cent alcohol and the alKae
In weak solution of formalin.
The trip is financed by the Walter
Rathbone Bacon travelling scholarship,
established at the Smithsonian Institu-
ton by Mrs Virginia Purdy Bacon. A
valuable by-product of the expedition
is the strengthening of relationships
with the governments and scientific
bodies in the countries visited.