LIVERPOOL MARINE BIOLOGY COMMITTEE. 217 



College, Liverpool, who is at present systematically ex- 

 amining the seaweeds growing on the shores of Puffin Island. 

 The Fishes have not yet been systematically worked up, and 

 the Committee have not undertaken any economic investiga- 

 tions, their object being in the first place to make a complete 

 examination of the L. M. B. C. district for purely scientific 

 purposes. 



In conclusion, I would emphasise my opinion that such 

 biological work as the investigation of the Fauna and Flora 

 and the physical conditions of a district can be carried, out 

 best by a small body of naturalists, such as the Liverpool 

 Marine Biology Committee, subdividing the work, devoting 

 themselves to their special groups, but working together as 

 much as possible so as to keep thoroughly in touch with their 

 fellow- workers, and to understand the scientific bearing of 

 their results and observations. Such bodies of naturalists 

 should be easily organised in all populous maritime disti'icts 

 where there are teachers of Biology and Scientific Natural 

 History Societies. There is abundance of work for them to 

 do on almost every part of our coast line. Liverpool Bay has 

 not a specially rich Fauna. In fact it is distinctly poorer 

 than some other districts, such as the estuary of the Clyde, 

 and yet the Committee here feel that they have little more 

 than commenced their work. A laboratory, however small, 

 placed close to the scene of operations, is a most important 

 addition in marine investigations ; and it is not too much to 

 hope that each of our Universities, Colleges, and more 

 important scientific societies situated within reach of the sea 

 will in course of time establish its own Marine Station as a 

 necessary adjunct to its Biological Department, 



VOL. I, NO. 11. 15 



