yo The Irish Nahirahst. March, 



launch purchased. The appointments of Prof. Gregg Wilson, D.Sc, as 

 honorary director, and of Joseph Pearson, B.Sc, as naturalist, have 

 already been recorded in the Irish Naturalist. 



All the property of the Association is covered by insurance, and a 

 portion of the life members' fees has been invested as a nucleus of a 

 building fund. The Council recommend that an earnest and vigorous 

 effort should be made this j'ear to obtain funds for a combined 

 laboratory and aquarium, the erection of which would undoubtedly 

 give a great impetus to the work of the Association, and prove a valuable 

 means of instructing and interesting the general public in our local 

 marine zoology. 



The Council gladly avail themselves of this opportunity of stating that 

 the whole success of the Association's work is due to the enthusiastic 

 and self-sacrificing manner in which Dr. Wilson has entered on his 

 self-imposed duties. It is the merest truism to state that without Dr. 

 Wilson's services the work of the Association could not have been 

 carried on. 



In addition to having virtually founded the Association by his 

 munificent gift of £'2(X), Sir Hugh Smiley has on several occasions placed 

 his steam yacht " Fire-Fay " at the disposal of the working members, 

 and thus enabled them to engage in deep-water collecting. Dr J. St. 

 Clair Boyd also generously lent his yacht for many days during the 

 summer. To Viscount Massereene and Ferrard thanks are due for the 

 loan of his steam launch for several days on Lough Neagh, and the Bann 

 Fishery Companj' also lent their launch on the same lake. The Depart- 

 ment of Agriculture kindly sent their fishery steamer "Helga" on 

 several occasions to Larne Lough. 



The receipts of the year amount to ;^628, and after investing ^^89 in 

 consols, over ^^35 remains as balance with the Treasurer. 



The Director's Report describes the arrangements in the temporary 

 laboratory, stating that there are tables suitable for microscopic work, 

 and a Hearson's paraffin bath and a Cambridge microtome have been 

 provided for sectioning. All ordinary re-agents have been stored. A 

 library of reference books has been started, and already contains many 

 valuable works. Two small tanks and simple aerating apparatus have 

 been presented to the Association, so that animals may be kept in life. 



The work of the Association has been necessaril}' somewhat limited 

 during the past year. Much time has been spent in collecting material 

 for future study, and the naturalist of the Association and the boatman 

 have been indefatigable in carrying on this important duty. Many days 

 have also been taken up by the necessary work of starting beginners on 

 the investigation of the special groups or subjects assigned to them. 

 Now, however, work is being carried on steadily by a considerable 

 number of members and associates, who have undertaken special groups. 

 Mr. Thomas Thornton, A.R.C.S., is studying the Algae of Larne 

 District. Messrs. Gough and Pearson are examining bottom deposits 

 with reference to their character and origin. Mr. Cunningham is 

 engaged in an extensive investigation of surface currents. Professor 



