DEPARTMENT OF MARINE BIOIvOGY- I23 



Only three researches have been published during the year ; these are : 



Carl KellnEr, Johns Hopkins University. Bericht iiber die Embryologie von Oiko- 

 pleura. Zoolog. Anzeiger, Bd. 31, May, 1907. 



Edwin Linton, Washington and JeflFerson College. Note on the habits of Fierasfer 

 aMnis. American Naturalist, vol. xli, pp. 1-4, 2 figs., January, 1907. 



Alfred G. Mayer, Carnegie Institution. Rhythmical pulsation in Scyphomedusse. Car- 

 negie Institution of Washington Publication No. 47, December, 1907. 



The Laboratory has suffered through the neglect of certain investigators 

 to complete the writing of their papers long after their observations and 

 experiments have been finished. It is far from my thought to urge undue 

 haste in the publication of research, mindful that science in our country has 

 too often suffered just reproach from this cause; but as the equipment for 

 research becomes more complex and the expense of investigation increases, 

 men of science are coming in increasing measure to be but trustees of the 

 funds through the aid of which their studies are sustained. Discoveries 

 belong not to him who makes them, but to the world, whose support has 

 made their discernment possible. For generations it has been the plea that 

 with greater material means scientific labors would bear greater fruit. All 

 over our land enlightened, philanthropic men are answering this plea, and 

 men of science should seek to justify the hope that their labors may in 

 increasing ratio advance civilization. 



In conclusion, it gives me pleasure to acknowledge our debt of gratitude 

 to those whose generous aid has contributed in great measure to the success 

 of the year's work. 



To Captain William H. Bechler, U. S. Navy, naval commandant at Key 

 West, without whose kindly interest the station could not have been main- 

 tained. 



To Mr. William Dutcher, president of the National Association of Au- 

 dubon Societies, who appointed Professor Watson warden of the gulls upon 

 the Tortugas, thus rendering it possible for him to carry out his experiments 

 upon their nesting habits. 



To Sir William Grey-Wilson, governor of the Bahamas, for personal and 

 official courtesies which rendered our expedition to the Bahamas both a pleas- 

 ure and a success. 



