20 HISTORY OF THE FOUNDATION OF THE 



take definite steps to place Euglaud in this respect on a 

 level -witli other countries. As we have already announced, 

 a meeting will be held to-day in the rooms of the Royal 

 Society to carry out this object. This will be accomplished 

 bv founding a society having for its purpose " the esta- 

 blishment and maintenance of a well-equipped Laboratory 

 at a suitable point on the English coast, similar to, if not 

 quite so extensive as. Dr. Dohrn's zoological station at 

 Naples." Among the supporters of the movement are the 

 most influential naturalists in the kingdom. Professor 

 Huxley, P.R.S., will preside, and others who have promised 

 to be present are Professor Flower, Professor Moseley, 

 Sir Lyon Playfair, Sir John Lubbock, Professor Michael 

 Foster, Professor Ray Lankester, Dr. Giinther, Dr. W. B. 

 Carpenter, Mr. Gwyn Jeffi-eys, Dr. P. L. Sclater, and Mr. 

 W. S. Caine, M.P. (one of the Commission on Trawling). 

 "With such powerful support it seems to us that the object 

 in view is sure to be accomplished. Both from an econo- 

 mical and scientific standpoint the utility, indeed the neces- 

 sity, of such an establishment appears obvious. Already 

 the Granton station has done good service to the Scottish 

 fishermen ; but even if no ends were to be served by such 

 a station except those of pure science, these in our estima- 

 tion are so important as to justify the movement which has 

 secured such influential support. The utility in its highest, 

 and even in its lowest, sense of encouraging scientific 

 research may now be taken as recognised in all civilized 

 countries. All the most valuable "practical'^ discoveries 

 have been made by men who were not seeking for them, 

 but whose sole aim was to satisfy a noble inquisitiveness. 

 Our Government recognises the necessity of encouraging 

 science in its magnificent establishments at Bloomsbary 

 and South Kensington, and in its subsidy of £5000 a year 

 to the Royal Society for purposes of research ; and none 

 but chronic grumblers would grudge another £1000 a year 

 to the support of the proposed station, which indeed may 

 be regarded as an almost indispensable adjunct to the 

 Natural History Department at South Kensington. The 

 necessitv for research in this direction was recognised at 



