6 deed aa ft , ' Mt . , i. , ver va. nae t Laecon teta MEd beechCatt otlsLatlhntheaaii aah cae ide ae he ACKNCWLEDGMENT Tt is a pleasure to commend the far-sichted policy of the Office of Naval Research, with its emphasis on besic research, as a result of which a grant has made possible the continuztion of the Coral Atoll Program of the Pacific Science Board. It is of interest to note, historically, that much of the fundamental information on atolls of the Pacific vas gathered by the U. 5S. Navy's South Pacific Exploring Expedition, over one hundred years ago, under the command of Captain Charles Wilkes. The continuing nature of such scientific interest by the Navy is shown by the support for the Pacific Science Board's research programs during the past thirteen years. The preparation and issuance of the Atoll Research Bulletin is assisted by funds from Contract Nfonr-2300(12). ~ aeee a eit ee ae Ln ene ee oe ee ee et ee oe ed i The sole responsibility for all statements made by authors of pavers in the Atoll Research Bulletin rests ith them, and do not necessarily represent the views of the Pacific Science Board or of the editors of the Bulletin. Editorial Staff F. R. Fosberg, editor M.-H. Sachet, assistant editor Correspondence concerning the Atoll Research Bulletin should be addressed to the above c/o Pacific Science Board hn ome hee ceeee eeore eke awa . . « . National Research Council 2101 Constitution Avenue, N. WwW. Washington 25, D. C., U.S.A. ES ee ee ree