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A Siimniary of the Work done by the Liverpool 

 Marine Biology Committee during 1885-87. 



By Professor lit. A. Herdman, D.Sc, F.1..S. 



The Liverpool Marine Biology Committee was formed in" 

 March, 1885, for the purpose of investigating thoroughly the 

 Fauna and Flora of Liverpool Bay and the neighbouring 

 parts of the Irish Sea. The aim of the Committee is not 

 merely to draw up an accurate list of the species found in 

 this locality, but also to observe and record the relative 

 numbers, the size, the colours, and the condition generally 

 of the specimens, the exact localities in which they are found, 

 the other species of animals and plants associated with them, 

 and their mutual relations as food, enemies, or competitors. 

 In this way it is hoped that a mass of observations will be 

 accumulated which may be of use in determining the geo- 

 graphical distribution of various forms, the nature of the 

 conditions which influence species, and the relations existing 

 between the different plants and animals. It was felt at the 

 outset that this work was exactly that department of 

 biological investigation which could be best carried out by an 

 organised body of workers who Avould subdivide the area to 

 be investigated, and the groups of animals and plants to be 

 worked up between them, and would carry on systematic 

 observations year after year, sending in periodic reports upon 

 their work. The value, in fact the absolute necessity, of 

 this organisation, division of labour, and systematic arrange- 

 ment, for the successful accomplishment of the objects in 

 view, has been felt all along by the members of the 

 Committee and those naturalists who have worked with 

 them ; and the results attained so far have, I think, fully 

 justified their belief in the benefit to be derived from 

 scientific organisation. 



The operations of the Committee have been carried on 



