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Report of the Council, 1890-1891. 



During the past year the Council has met ten times for the con- 

 duct of the business of the Association. 



In accordance with Bye-law 5, which provides for the election 

 of officers^ Prof. E. Ray Lankester was elected in the course of the 

 year to the office of President in succession to Prof. Huxley, and 

 Dr. G. H. Fowler to that of Honorary Secretary. No other changes 

 have occurred in the Council. 



The Council desire to express their indebtedness to the courtesy 

 of the Eoyal Society in permitting the meetings of the Association 

 to be held in their rooms. 



The buildings at Plymouth are now in thorough repair. In the Buildings, 

 course of last summer the bottoms of the two largest tanks showed Aquarfum 

 signs of weakness, the slate beams on which they rested being &c. 

 inadequate to support the enormous weight of water ; the danger 

 was fortunately discovered in time, and has been permanently 

 averted by the building up of brick piers from below. A small 

 shed has been erected at the back of the Laboratory for the recep- 

 tion of a forge and anvil, by the aid of which the engineer is now 

 able to effect all minor repairs to the gas engines and steam-launch. 

 Both gas engines have lately been thoroughly overhauled, and are 

 working with little or none of the vibration which originally 

 threatened danger to the vulcanite pipes, A twelfth compartment 

 has recently been fitted up in the Laboratory for physical work. 



The severe winter produced a noticeable effect on the animals in 

 the aquarium as well as on those in the Sounds and the mortality has 

 been considerable. The condition of the tanks is, however, annu- 

 ally improving, and a self-sown fauna, including Hydroids, Ascidians, 

 and Chaetopods, is slowly springing up. A small charge for admis- 

 sion to the aquarium, which is now open daily, has lately been 

 instituted with satisfactory results. 



The only addition to the boats during the year is a small Boats, 

 dinghey. The steam-launch " Firefly," purchased in July, 1889, 

 while very economical when in working order_, is a considerable 

 source of expense for repairs, and great inconvenience was caused 



NEW SERIES. — VOL. II, NO. II. 8 



