20 MADE \S FISHERIES BULLETIN VOL. XV 



quickly. Hence the necessity to be able to distinguish readily the 

 species that are tolerant of a fresh water habitat from those which 

 are not. (See remarks on tank stocking with mullet in the Piscicul- 

 tural section.) 



During the year, the Marine Biologist paid visits to a number 

 of coast centres, for the purpose of collecting information and 

 material, while Sub-Assistant M.R.Ry. S. Ramaswami Ayyangar 

 took advantage of the resumption of the annual Laccidive inspection, 

 to accompany the party and thus to obtain further knowledge of the 

 economic possibilities of the islands in respect of marine products. 

 His report is awaited. 



The supply of zoological specimens for teaching and exhibition 

 purposes continued to expand, the total receipts amounting to the 

 comparatively large sum of Rs. 3,131-4-0, compared with Rs. 1,608 

 in the preceding year 1919-20. Comparison is difficult however as 

 last year's figures have been unduly swollen by reason of great 

 increase in the cost of glassware. This, while giving a fictitious 

 idea of rapid progress, restricts sales as the increased cost has to be 

 charged to the buyers ; it is hoped that more normal conditions will 

 soon return in the glass trade, and so permit of more real progress 

 being made. The estimated cost of the specimens sent out, includ- 

 ing the salary of the Sub-Assistant in charge, amounted to 

 Rs. 2,974-15-9, showing a margin of Rs, 156-4-3 on the credit 

 side. 



This work of zoological supply was begun in 1915 by the 

 present Director, who was induced to make this departure by a 

 consideration of the difficulties till then hampering the study of 

 Zoology in Indian colleges. Until then students to a large extent 

 relied upon a study of text-book figures and had little or no 

 familiarity with the animals themselves. They could describe a sea- 

 anemone or a holothurian with exactitude, but would fail to 

 recognize either if they saw them alive in a rock pool on the sea- 

 shore. In the rare instances where more thorough work was done, 

 attention was concentrated either upon land and fresh-water types as 

 more readily procurable, or limited supplies of material were obtained 

 from European Biological stations. The fact that zoological study 

 was hopelessly fettered for want of supplies that lay abundant to 

 hand in our waters, so impressed me at an early date in my fisheries 

 duties that I sought and obtained the permission of Government to 

 begin the supply of zoological specimens to educational institutions 

 throughout India, at rates calculated just to cover the cost of pre- 

 paration. A clear idea of the utility of the work and of the esti- 

 mation in which it is held by colleges and schools throughout the 

 length and breadth of India is obtained by an examination of the 



