[ 424 J 



Director's Report. 



The year which has elapsed since the publication of the last number 

 of the Journal has been marked by substantial progress in the work of 

 the Association in one or two directions. In the first place, the small 

 steamer Busy Bee, which had for several years done good service in 

 collecting in the immediate neighbourhood of Plymoutii, was sold on 

 favourable terms, and a larger vessel, the s.s. Oiihoim, was bought to 

 replace her. The Oithona is a much more capable seaboat tlian tlie 

 Busy Bee, and is provided with excellent accommodation, so that slie 

 is able to make more extended cruises, and it is possible for our 

 naturalists to live on board her for longer periods with comparative 

 comfort. 



Considerable extra expense is of course involved m running this 

 larger vessel, but we have been materially assisted in this respect by 

 the generosity of gentlemen interested in our work. Towards a fund 

 intended to meet the working expenses of the first four years the 

 following contributions have been received : — G. P. Bidder, Esq., £200 ; 

 T. H. Ptiches, Esq., £100; the Hon. R. Guinness, £20; W. F. Thomas, 

 Esq., £5. But even with this additional lielp we are only able to run 

 the vessel for a portion of the winter months. 



Secondly, in conjunction with the Technical Education Committee of 

 the Devon County Council, our fisheries stafi' has been increased by an 

 additional naturalist, one half of whose time is devoted to fishery 

 research, and the other half to the technical instruction of fishermen. 

 Dr. H. M. Kyle, formerly of Saint Andrews, has been appointed to 

 this post. ]\Ir. F. Balfour Browne has also been appointed an assistant 

 (honorary) to Mr. Garstang for fishery research. 



The Laboratory buildings and machinery have been maintained in a 

 state of efficiency. It has been found necessary to replace the gas- 

 engine which is used for circulating the sea- water through the aquarium 

 tanks. The old engine had been in constant use since the opening of 

 the Laboratory, and was not a new one when it became the property 

 of the Association. One of the rotary pumps used for the same 

 purpose has also been practically made new, so that considerable 

 expense has been necessary for the up-keep of machinery. 



The general detailed study of tlie distribution of the marine fauna 



