X XXV1l 
Director’s Report. 
Important changes have taken place in the staff of the Plymouth 
Laboratory, owing to the resignation of Mr. E. J. Bles and the 
transference of Mr. Cunningham to the North Sea, to continue the 
fishery investigations carried on there. It is with great regret that 
I have to report that, owing to the unsatisfactory state of his health, 
Mr. Holt is unable to continue the valuable work which he has been 
doing for the Association. 
Two naturalists are at present visiting the Laboratory—Mr. J. C. 
Sumner, who has occupied since the beginning of January a British 
Association Table, and is engaged in a study of the Echinoderm 
fauna of Plymouth, and Mr. Richard Assheton, M.A., who is studying 
the development of Elasmobranchs. 
An important alteration isin contemplation in the system of sup- 
plying sea-water to the tanks in the Laboratory, which it is hoped 
will lead to more satisfactory results than have previously been at- 
tained. In addition to this, arrangements are being made to bring 
in water from the open sea in sufficient quantity for delicate experi- 
ments, and a definite study of the conditions necessary for the 
healthy life and development of marine organisms in confinement 
will be attempted. In this connection I may draw attention to the 
interesting results contained in the paper by Mr. Darnell-Smith, 
published in the present number of the Journal, Mr. Darnell-Smith 
purposes continuing this work during the summer. 
Iam glad to be able to announce also that the Council have 
authorised the expenditure of a considerably larger sum for boat- 
hire during the present year than has been spent in previous years, 
and it will now be possible to extend the regular dredging and 
trawling work along the coast, and to visit the rich outlying grounds. 
It is fully recognised by zoologists that the work of the Association 
has been very greatly hampered by the want of a larger boat, and itis, 
in part, to make it clear to all that this is the case that the extra money 
is to be spent on boat-hire for this year. I would, therefore, make a 
special appeal to naturalists for support during the present year, as I 
am fully convinced that the results which are attained will have an 
