PROCEEDINGS FOR 1892. IX 



bibliography of all his j)revious works and writings, for insertion, at a future time, in the ' Trans- 

 actions ' in accordance with the useful plan followed by the American Historical Association. 



The ' Transactions ' of the Society continue to be distributed as set forth in the full report on the 

 subject made by the Council in 1890. The area of distribution is very large and the volume now 

 reaches every country where there are libraries or scientific and historical societies of recognized 

 standing. To show the value now placed on the ' Transactions,' and the extended range of circulation, 

 reference may be made to the fact that only a week ago, letters were received from the University of 

 Lyons, in France, the Fi'ee Library of St. .John. New Brunswick, the Librarian of Prince Roland 

 Bonaparte at Paris, the Director of the National Observatory at Athens, in Greece, and the Library 

 Committee of the Wisconsin Academy of Sciences, Arts and Letters, requesting that the whole set or 

 particular volumes of the Society's publications be forwarded to them. 



A communication has been received from Lady Blake, wife of the Governor of Jamaica, with 

 reference to the establishment of a Marine Biological Station at that island on the plan of the stations 

 now in operation at Naples and Plymouth. The following extracts from this communication will 

 show the scope of the undertaking which, it is proposed, should be established as a fitting tribute to 

 the memor^f of Columbus, at a time when Spain and the United States are preparing to celebrate the 

 fourth centenary of the discovery of the western world. Lady Blake writes as follows : — 



" King's House, Jamaica, 1st February, 1892. 



" My husband and I are at present much interested in a scheme on behalf of which I am anxious 

 to enlist your energetic assistance. It is proposed to establish here a Marine Biological Station, on 

 the lines of the stations at Plymouth and Naples. The station is to be founded as a memorial of the 

 fourth centenary of the discovery of the Now World, and to be named "The Columbus Biological 

 Station." In England the scheme is supported by Professor Huxley, Professor Ray Lankester, M.A., 

 Professor Flower Gunther (British Museum), Dr. Ball, F.R.S., Lord Rosse Reay, Sir John Lubbock, 

 P. Sclater, F.R.S., and many other eminent scientific men. The Hon. Walter Rothschild has under- 

 taken to act as honorary secretary ; Messrs. Coutts & Co. to be bankers, and the editor of the Times 

 has promised a prominent position to coiTespondence on the subject. We have also promises of 

 support from many leading scientific men in America, and are most anxious to secure the assistance 

 and countenance of leading men in Canada. We shall be so much obliged if you will do anything in 

 your power to push the scheme there. We are anxious that the institution should be as international 

 as possible in its scope, and it would be a great matter to have a meeting place in common for scientific 

 students from the old and new worlds. Jamaica is within easy reach of both, and appears to offer 

 every advantage for the proposed institution. Your advocacy of the plan in Canada would be of 

 great value. Please let me know if you think we may hope for any assistance from there." 



The Council recommend that this matter, so deserving of the earnest co-operation of Canadians, 

 be referred to the consideration of the Fourth Section ou Geological and Biological Science, to report 

 thereon without delay. 



The report of the Minister of Marine and Fisheries for 1891 contains the following information 

 on the subject of Tidal Observations. The Royal Society successfully drew the attention of the govern- 

 ment of Canada, some time ago, to this matter, as may be ascertained by reference to the various steps 

 they took for years to create an interest in an enterprise of great importance to the shipping and 

 commercial interests of the countiy: 



" The objects of tidal observations are two — first, to make it possible to predict the time and 

 height of high and low water on any day and at any time; second, to connect therewith observations of 

 tidal currents. It is this second object which has recently most attracted the attention of those inter- 

 ested in shipping within the Dominion. Many ships have run ashore and been wrecked in the dark- 

 ness when the officers had supposed themselves far from shore. It has been improperly assumed that 



Proc. 1892. B. 



