1146 OYSTERS, AND ALL ABOUT THEM. 



would probably claim for itself that its pursuit is an end in 

 itself, and that it has little or nothing to do with objects 

 of practical utility. It may condescend to show on occa- 

 sion, in order to convince an unbelieving world, that an 

 extension of knowledge is also an extension of human 

 opportunities and capabilities ; but to the ardent votary of 

 science it is the knowledge, and not the utility, that is the 

 main object of pursuit. We have no fault to find with the 

 promoters of a Marine Biological Laboratory on this 

 account, but they are certainly wise in their generation to 

 make their appeal to the commercial instincts of English- 

 men. For ourselves, we are perfectly willing to recognise 

 the force of their appeal whether it is based on the higher 

 ground of knowledge or on the lower ground of utility. In 

 such a case as that of marine biological research the two 

 grounds are inseparably connected. It is impossible to 

 doubt that the study of the structure and habits of the 



> 



fishes which frequent our coasts will result in an accumu- 

 lation of knowledge which must in the end direct and 

 inform the practice of our fishermen. But of course 'A 

 Naturalist ' does not intend us to suppose that this is the 

 sole, or even the main object of such a Biological Labora- 

 tory as he desires to see established ; it is not merely for 

 the increase of the supply of oysters, or even for the 

 improvement of our fishing industries in general, that the 

 eminent men whose names are given by our correspondent 

 have formed the Marine Biological Association. Their 

 object is the scientific study of a branch of natural history 

 which has hitherto been neglected for want of adequate 

 means and opportunities for its prosecution. The under- 

 taking is necessarily a costly one, and, so far, the funds 

 have not been very freely forthcoming. Naturalists, says 

 our correspondent truly enough, are by no means a wealthy 



