MARINE BIOLOGICAL STATION AT PORT ERIN. 297 



that is the reason why the official Report*, now published, 

 is a somewhat disappointing document in the eyes of 

 biologists. It consists of a number of resolutions in 

 regard to what is desirable, or what is required in the in- 

 vestigation of the sea, and of one recommendation as to 

 the formation of a central bureau to control the work and 

 conduct a laboratory. 



One section is called a "Programme" of work, but 

 there is no practical programme of biological work — laying- 

 down how, when and where the investigations are to be 

 carried out — such as was expected, and is required. For, 

 surely, what we need most at the present time, in the 

 interests of more exact fisheries t knowledge, is the nearest 

 possible approximation to a " census" of our seas, begin- 

 ning with the territorial waters. Most fisheries disputes 

 and differences of opinion are due to the absence of such 

 exact knowledge. If such an approximate census, or 

 record of really reliable statistics, had been taken fifty 

 years ago it would now be invaluable to fisheries inspectors, 

 superintendents and local authorities, as well as to biolo- 

 gists. Our descendants will justly reproach us if, with 

 our increased knowledge and opportunity, we let the 

 twentieth century commence without inaugurating some 

 such system of statistics. 



The Report of the Conference says nothing of all this. In 

 place of asking for boats and men, it expresses many admir- 

 able sentiments and pious wishes as to what is desirable and 

 what should be done — sentiments and wishes that are 

 quite unexceptionable, but which have been before the 

 public now for some years, and which are in the main 



+ " Conference Internationale pour l'Exploration de la Mer, rennie a 

 Stockholm, 1899." 



t The British Government, we are told, only joined in the Conference in 

 the interests of the fisheries applications of marine exploration. 



