OBJECTS 



OF THE 



Purine ^ialogical Association of tjje Inittb |aingbom. 



THE ASSOCIATION was founded at a Meeting called for the purpose in March, 1884, 

 and held in the Rooms of the Royal Society of London. 



The late Professor Huxley, at that time President of the Royal Society, took the cliair, 

 and amongst the sjjeakers in support of the project were the Duke of Ar(;yll, Sir Lyon 

 Playfair, Sir John Lubbock, Sir Joseph Hooker, the late Dr. Cari-entek, Dr. Gunther, 

 the late Lord Dalhousie, the late Professor Moseley, the late Mr. Romanes, and 

 Professor Lankester. 



The Association owes its existence and its present satisfactory condition to a combina- 

 tion of scientific naturalists, and of gentlemen who, from philanthropic or practical reasons, 

 are specially interested in the great sea fisheries of the United Kingdom. It is universally 

 admitted that our knowledge of the habits and conditions of life of sea fishes is very small, 

 and insufficient to enable either the practical fisherman or the Legislature to take measures 

 calculated to ensure to the country the greatest I'eturn from the " harvest of the sea." 

 Naturalists are, on the other hand, anxious to push further our knowledge of marine life 

 and its conditions. Hence, the Association has erected at Plymouth a thoroughly efficient 

 laboratory, where naturalists may study the history of marine animals and plants in general, 

 and where, in particular, researches on food fishes and molluscs may be carried out with the 

 best appliances. 



The Laboratory and its fittings were completed in June, 1888, at a cost of some £12,000. 

 Since that time investigations, practical and scientific, have been constantly pursued at 

 Plymouth. Practical investigations upon matters connected with sea-fishing are carried on 

 under the direction of the Council ; in addition, naturalists from England and from abroad 

 have come to the Laboratory, to carry on their own independent researches, and have made 

 valuable additions to zoological and botanical science, at the expense of a small rent, for tlie 

 use of a working table in the Laboratory and other appliances. The number of naturalists 

 who can be employed by the Association in special investigations on fishery questions, and 

 definitely retained for the purpose of carrying on those I'esearches tliroughout the year, 

 must depend on the funds subscribed by private individuals and public bodies for the 

 purpose. The first charges on the revenue of the Association are the working of the sea- 

 water circulation in the tanks, stocking the tanks with fish and feeding the latter, the 

 payment of servants and fishermen, the hire and maintenance of fishing boats, and tlie 

 salary of the Resident Director and Staff. At the commencement of this number will be 

 found the names of the gentlemen on tlie staff. In no case does any one salary exceed 



The Association has received some £25,000, of which £11,000 has been granted by 

 the Treasury. .The annual revenue which can be at present counted on is about £1,820, of 

 which £1,000 a year is granted by the Treasury, the remainder being principally made up 

 in Subscriptions. 



The admirable Marine Biological Laboratory at Najjles, founded and directed by Dr. 

 Dohrn, has cost about £20,000, including steam launches, &c., whilst it has an annual 

 budget of £7,000. 



The Association is at i*rp:sent unable to afford the purchase and maintenance 

 OF A sea-going Steam Vessel, by means of which fishery investigations can be extended 

 to other parts of the coast than the innnediate ncighliourliood of Plymoiitli. Funds are 

 urgently needed in order that this sectioii of the work may be carried out witli elficiency. 

 Tlie purjjose of the Association is to aid at the same time both science and industry. It is 

 national in character and constitution, and its aflairs are conducted by a rejiresentative 

 Council, by an Honorary Secretary and an Honorary Treasurer, without any charge ujion 

 its funds, so that the whole of the sul)scriptions and ilonations received are ile voted 

 absolutely to the support of the Laboratory and the prosecution of researches by aid of 

 its appliances. The reader is referred to i)age 4 of the Cover for information as to 

 membership of the Association. 



