DEPARTMENT OF MARINE BIOLOGY.* 



Alfred G, Mayer, Director. 



The past year has been both varied in events and successful in 

 achievement and marks also the completion of the first decade in the 

 existence of the Laboratory, It may seem opportune, therefore, after 

 having spoken of the events of the present, to review briefly those 

 results which have gained acceptance among men of science, for the 

 success or failure of the Laboratory must be estimated not in terms of 

 our hopes, but in those of convincing achievement as demonstrated in 

 publications. Responsible as we are for that wisdom in expenditure 

 which should result in the construction of well-equipped laboratories 

 and the providing of the best of opportunities for research, yet in a far 

 greater degree must we be accountable for the results achieved, which 

 must be at least commensurate with the material advantages which 

 have been so generously granted to us. 



THE EXPEDITION TO TORRES STRAITS. AUSTRALIA. 



The success of the expedition to Ton-es Straits, Australia, was in 

 the greatest measure due to the generous response upon the part of the 

 officers of the Australian governments to the highly appreciated letters 

 of introduction from Lord Bryce, then British ambassador to the 

 United States. It is a pleasure to refer especially to the kindly and 

 efficient interest in our behalf displayed by Sir William Macgregor, 

 M. D., G. c. M. G., c. B., govemor of Queensland; by the Honorable 

 P. J. McDermott, i. s. o., chief under secretary, by the Honorable 

 W. M. Lee-Bryce, the resident at Thursday Island, and by Judge A. 

 W. Macnaughton, of the Supreme Court of Queensland. 



In Papua, also, the officers of government were most cordial in their 

 interest and we were honored by an invitation to remain as guests of 

 the governor, His Excellency the Honorable John H. P. Murray, m. a., 

 during the entire period of our stay in New Guinea. 



Our expressions of gratitude are also due to R. Etheridge, esq., 

 curator of the Australian Museum in Sydney, who not only gave us 

 advice and aid of fundamental importance, but was most solicitous for 

 the welfare of Dr. Harvey during his illness in Sydney, upon his return 

 from Murray Island. To the distinguished student of coral reefs, 

 Charles Hedley, esq., we are indebted for the advice that led to our 

 going to Murray Island. Messrs. J. B. Arthur and R. A. C. Hockings, 

 of Thursday Island, kindly permitted members of the expedition to sail 

 from Thursday Island to Darnley Island on their power schooner 



*Situated at Tortugas, Florida, (For previous reports see Year Books Nos. 3-12.) 



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