THE 



POPULAR SCIENCE 



MONTHLY. 



JANUARY, 1902. 



THE MINNESOTA SEASIDE STATION. 



By Professor CONWAY MACMILLAN, 



UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA. 



TTTHEN, in 1900, a tract of land on the Straits of Fuca was offered 

 ' ^ for the uses of a marine station to be operated in connection 

 with the University of Minnesota, the transfer was made and the con- 

 struction of a laboratory-camp begun. Previous and full information 

 concerning the site had been received. It had been personally examined 

 by a member of the University staff and had been highly commended. 

 Being at the entrance of the Straits it was easily accessible to the Sound 

 and to the open sea, while its littoral fauna and flora were known to be 

 uncommonly interesting and rich both in species and individuals. One 

 difficulty existed : there was no road from Port Renfrew to the labora- 

 tory site — a distance of about three miles. Consequently the whole 

 matter was laid before the British Columbian Parliament then in 

 session at Victoria, and through the assistance of the honorable mem- 

 bers from the districts of Esquimalt and San Juan, with the approval 

 of H. M. Commissioner of Works, a grant was obtained for a suitable 

 road, work upon which was in progress during the summer of 1901. 



In the initial movements incident to the establishment of the Station 

 many Victorians were both interested and effective. From Sir Henri 

 Joly de Lotbiniere, Lieutenant-Governor of the Province, to the hum- 

 blest citizen there was received onlv the most uniform and delisrhtful 

 courtesy. To acknowledge so many kindnesses is indeed a pleasure, and 

 to the members of the Government and of the Natural History Society 

 of Victoria, and to all others who were of assistance sincere apprecia- 

 Mon and thanks are due. 



VOL. LX. — 13. 



