IV. REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES 



At the meeting of the trustees held in Woods Hole on August 

 n, 1908, the resignations of the Director of the Laboratory, 

 Professor C. O. Whitman, and of the Assistant Director, Pro- 

 fessor Frank R. Lillie, were presented. The trustees expressed 

 their deep regret that Professor Whitman and Professor Lillie, 

 after so many years of able and efficient services, should wish to 

 resign. The letter of resignation of Professor Whitman, and 

 the reply of the trustees is here given. 



To THE TRUSTEES OF THE MARINE BIOLOGICAL LABORATORY, 

 WOODS HOLE, MASS. 



Gentlemen: This year has brought the twenty-first birthday of 

 the Marine Biological Laboratory. For these many years you 

 have continued to honor me with the directorship of the labora- 

 tory. In late years I have so far drifted out of office and out of 

 use that a formal resignation at this time can be scarcely more 

 than an announcement of the fact accomplished. The time has 

 arrived, however, when a reorganization seems to be imperatively 

 demanded, and as a prelude thereto, I must ask you to accept 

 this note as a somewhat belated announcement of my resignation 

 of the office of director. 



Let me take this opportunity to thank you one and all very 

 heartily for the cordial support you have extended to me. 



Respectfully, 



.C. O. WHITMAN. 



REPLY TO THE ABOVE LETTER 



August 13, 1908. 



The corporation and trustees of the Marine Biological Labora- 

 tory, in accepting the resignation of the Director, Professor- C. 

 O. Whitman, have ordered to be put upon their records and to 

 be forwarded to Doctor Whitman the following minute: 



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