marine biological station at port erin. 233 



The Curator's Keport. 



Mr. Chadwick reports as follows : — 



" The dissecting and compound microscopes provided 

 early in the year have proved most useful. All the 

 instruments and apparatus required by workers have been 

 carefully used, and, with the exception of certain of the 

 dredges, are in good condition. The small iron trawl, 

 provided last year, has been frequently used, and its loss, 

 together with the rope, towards the close of the season, 

 was most unfortunate. The nets attached to the ' Agassiz' 

 and shrimp trawls were repaired after the last steamboat 

 dredging excursion, but renewal of both will probably be 

 necessary ere long. All the smaller dredges are in service- 

 able condition. Mr. H. Yates, of Manchester, has kindly 

 lent, for an indefinite period, a sliding microtome by 

 Eeichert, specially adapted for cutting sections of material 

 imbedded in celloidin. 



" The Shellbend boats, though in need of slight repair, 

 are little the worse for the frequent use to which they 

 have been put. 



" The Library has been well used, and the additions to 

 the stock of books, including a nearly complete set of the 

 Journal of the Marine Biological Association, have consider- 

 ably enhanced its value. Several zoologists have kindly 

 continued to contribute copies of their papers, for the 

 reception of which, and other additions, a third bookcase 

 has been provided. Further donations from authors, and 

 others, will be very welcome. 



" A small beginning has been made with the formation 

 of a collection of microscope slides, illustrating the local 

 fauna, which it is hoped will be of constantly increasing 

 value to future workers at the Station. 



" The sale of living and preserved specimens has not 

 assumed noteworthy proportions, but orders from various 



