BIOLOCHCJAL lABORA'I'OIiY. 137 



benefits. On the other hand, they also kuew that any 

 attempt to make inquiry with a practical end in view which 

 sliould ignore scientific methods and aim too directly at tlie 

 practical end was fraught with danger and almost certain 

 failure. The only way to attain success was to cultivate the 

 tree of science first, and then gather the fruit ; they could 

 not grow the fruit without attending to the tree. It was in 

 that spirit that a large number of the friends of science, not 

 only scientific men, but friends of science throughout the 

 country, and civic Corporations — for in addition to the 

 important and valued aid of the Fishmongers^ Company 

 they had had the help of the Corporation of London and 

 other bodies — had come forward to contribute to the funds 

 of the Association. He should say that the notion of forming 

 the Association originated with that most important and 

 admirable exhibition, the great Fisheries Exhibition, which 

 they owed to the initiative of Sir Edward Bii'kbeck, whom 

 he had. hoped to have seen with them that day. That was 

 what suggested to him the movement for the formation of a 

 laboratory where fishery studies could, be carried on. The 

 idea he had in view at that time, or rather the institution 

 existing elsewhere which he wished to copy, was that 

 established by Dr. Dohrn at Naples, with which they were 

 all familiar. The question was, how could such a laboratory 

 be put up on the British Coast ? It was to his friend 

 Dr. Giinther, of the British Museum, that he owed the 

 suggestion of the formation of an association. It w^as to 

 the ofiicers of the Royal Society that he owed the oppor- 

 tunity of starting the Association at a meeting called in the 

 rooms of that Society and presided over by the illustrious 

 President of that great scientific institution, which was also 

 the first public body to support the funds of the Association 

 with a large and handsome subscription. The meeting was 

 very largely attended by men of science and gentlemen 

 interested in fisheries. The late Earl of Dalhousie, one of 

 their most ardent supporters, the Duke of Argyll, and other 

 public men took part in it. The newspaper Press had all 

 along helped them in a most admirable and cheering manner. 

 The ' Times ' had been their warmest friend, and he hoped 

 VOL. I, NO. u. 10 



