l30 OPENING OP THE MAEINE 



Next, as to tlie place at which our headquarters were to 

 be established. That was at first a matter of considerable 

 difficulty. Many were the rival claimants, but Plymouth 

 was finally chosen, as best affording the requisite physical 

 and geographical surroundings for such an institution, and 

 the liberality with which the Association was welcomed by its 

 leading citizens was in itself a ground of justification for the 

 choice. Though a portion of the old military defences of 

 the town have been given up to our peaceful enterprise, we 

 trust the safety of the inhabitants will not suffer. The 

 Laboratory now stands between the citadel of Plymouth and 

 the sea, and an enemy entering the town by the most 

 direct way would have to march over the ruins of this 

 building. That consideration alone should be enough to 

 secure your safety in a war with any of the enlightened, 

 science-loving nations of Europe, should such an event ever 

 unhappily arise. 



As to the institution itself, few words are needed to 

 describe how excellent is its adaptation to the purpose for 

 which it is founded. Although still not in all respects in 

 full working order, we have all been enabled to see to-day 

 how carefully it has been planned, and how well the design 

 has been carried out. We have secured a capable and 

 energetic working staff ; students are already taking their 

 places at our Laboratory tables, and already a commence- 

 ment has been made in their original investigations and 

 contributions to knowledge, which we hope will be of such 

 a character and of such abundance as to give this Laboratory 

 a high place among the scientific institutions of the world. 

 Our present financial position and future needs are fully set 

 forth in the Report of the Council just issued. This shows 

 that of our capital already subscribed the greater part has 

 been expended upon the building and necessary apparatus 

 for its equipment. We still want a small steam vessel for 

 the use of the staff in exploring the fishing- grounds of the 

 neighbourhood and for collecting materials to stock our 

 tanks. For the means of providing this, and for the annual 

 maintenance of our establishment in a state of efficiency, we 

 shall require further pecuniary assistance. But as the 



