OBJECTS 



OF THE 



Hlariiif Bioloqical dissociation of tijf ^tnitrb l\inqbom, 



nmE 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 chair, 

 and amongst the speakers in support of the project were the Duke of Argyll, the late 

 Sir Lyon Platfair, Sir John Lubbock, Sir Joseph Hooker, the late Dr. Carpenter, 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 return 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 the 

 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 researches throughout 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 the 

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

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

 £250. 



The Association has received some £30,000, of which £14,000 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 ilarine Biological Laboratory at Naples, 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 purpose of the Association is to aid at the same time both science and industry. It 

 is national in character and constitution, and its affairs are conducted by a representative 

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

 its funds, so that the whole of the subscriptions and donations received are devoted 

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

 its appliances. The reader is referred to page 4 of the Cover for information as to 

 membership of the Association. 



