A MARINE BIOLOGICAL OBSERVATORY. 471 



" I am convinced that such a station erected at a suitable point on the coast 

 and fully equipped, but, above all things, under judicious management, will greatly 

 further advancing* biological science." — C. Gegenbaub, Heidelberg. 



"I fully believe that your countrymen, -with their accustomed enterprise, will 

 meet your present request." — G. B. Howes, London. 



" If you succeed in founding in the United Slates a biological institution in 

 which the processes of life may be studied in all their magnitude and extent, you 

 will indeed perform a lasting service to humanity." — C. Ludwig, Leipsie. 



" Speaking as a physiologist, I can hardly say anything too strong on behalf 

 of marine laboratories such as the one you wish to establish." — M. Fostee, Cam- 

 bridge, England. 



" I am glad to learn that your plans for the establishment of a permanent 

 national marine laboratory are taking definite shape, and I hope their importance 

 will be generally recognized. It would be strange if support could not be found 

 for an American laboratory that will bear comparison with those of England, 

 France, Germany, and Italy." — E. B. Wilson, Columbia. 



" The need of a biological experiment station is even greater in this country 

 than in Europe, where its importance has been recognized for a good many years, 

 as shown in the numerous stations already established." — W. G. Faelow, Harvard. 



"I wish to be put down as one who favors the plan most emphatically. ... I 

 hope that steps will be taken to make the place a summer gathering ground for 

 the biologists of this country in the broadest sense of the word — i. e., let us have 

 investigations in zoology, physiology, botany, the study of the environment, both 

 physical and chemical as well as experimental. Let it further be a national, not 

 a sectional movement." — William Libbey, Jb., Princeton. 



"I am glad that the Marine Biological Laboratory is taking steps toward se- 

 curing a permanent and adequate endowment. I have watched its development 

 with a good deal of interest, and have gladly contributed my mite for its sup- 

 port." — William Tbelease, Missouri Botanical Garden. 



"T need hardly assure you of my deep and cordial interest in the permanent 

 establishment of a seaside laboratory, and of ray desire that the University of 

 Illinois may share to the limit of its ability in its burdens and in the benefits to 

 be derived from it." — S. A. Fobbes, Illinois State Laboratory of Natural History. 



" I am very deeply interested in the development of the laboratory at Woods 

 Holl. I believe that it is in itself one of the most important educational institu- 

 tions in the country, and I shall be glad to do all that I can to advance its inter- 

 ests." — David S. Jobdan, Menlo Pari; Cal. 



In the description of his journey into the interior of Iceland, published in 

 Petermann's Mitteilungen, Th. Thoraddsen refers to the oases in the desert of 

 volcanic sand at the foot of Mount Hecla. These are constantly changing or mov- 

 ing on account of the violent sand-storms which rage there. On the windward 

 side they are encroached upon by the 6and, and all vegetation is gradually de- 

 stroyed, while on the other sides the grasses take root and "in a surprisingly 

 short time barren and unfruitful spots are changed into good pasture." 



