INTRODUCTION. 



It seems desirable to make a brief statement in regard to the 

 mode of origin and the objects of the Liverpool Marine 

 Biology Committee as an introduction to this First Report 

 on the Fauna of Liverpool Bay,* As the result of an 

 informal conversation with some of the local naturalists, an 

 address was given on March 6th, 1885, by Professor Herdman 

 to the members of the Liverpool Microscopical Society, point- 

 ing out some of the characteristics of the Marine Fauna, and 

 urging the necessity for an exploration of the estuary of the 

 Mersey. In consequence of the discussion which took place 

 on this occasion, the following circular was shortly afterwards 

 sent out to members of the local scientific societies and others 

 likely to be interested in the matter : — 



"MARINE BIOLOGY. 



A Meeting will be held in the Zoological Laboratory, University 



College, Liverpool, on Saturday, March 14th, at 8 p.m., to discuss tlie 



proposed scheme for a thorough investigation of the Fauna and Flora 



of the neighbouring seas. 



W. A. Herdman." 



This meeting was attended by representatives of the 

 scientific societies and museums of Liverpool, Manchester, 

 and Chester, and by a number of the local naturalists. 

 After a considerable amount of discussion it was unani- 

 mously resolved " that steps should be taken to investigate 

 the Marine Biology of Liverpool Bay during the coming 

 summer, with the view of compiling a * Fauna ' of the neigh- 



* The L. M. B. C. District, or Liverpool Bay in a wide sense, is that part 

 of the Irish Sea bounded by the coast of Lancashire, the north coast of 

 Wales, and the Isle of Man. 



