REPOET OP THE COUNCIL. 81 



ing. The funds for this purpose have been provided by the gene- 

 rosity of Mr. Eobert Bayly^ of Plymouth. 



The following gentlemen have occupied tables in the Laboratory Occupation 

 during the past year for the prosecution of their private researches, 'Tables for 

 some of them on more than one occasion : — research. 



Mr. W. B. Benham, D.Sc. {Pohjchseta). 



Mr. Hans Deiesch, Ph.D. (Heliotropism in Hydroidea). 



Mr. G. H. Fowler, B.A., Ph.D. (Variation in Isopoda). 



Mr. W. Garstang, M.A. {Ascidiacea) . 



Prof. T. Johnson, B.Sc. (Algie). 



Mr. E. A. MiNCHiN, B.A. (Porifera and Ch'egarinida). 



Mr. T. H. Riches, B.A. (Pagurida). 



Mr. W. G. RiDEWOOD {Clupeidse). 



Mr. W. W. Welch (General Zoology). 



Prof. W. F. R. Weldon, M.A., F.R.S. {Decapoda). 



Mr. M. F. Woodward (Molhisca). 



The first volume of the new series of the Journal of the Associa- Publication, 

 tion has been completed. The quarto Treatise on the Common Sole 

 by Mr. Cunningham, the Naturalist of the Association, was published 

 in October last. 



Prof. E. Van Beneden, of Liege, has recently published a memoir 

 on specimens of the interesting larval Anthozoan, Ao'achnactis, which 

 had been collected at Plymouth by the Director, and forwarded to 

 Prof. Van Beneden at his request (Archives de Biologic, xi, p. 115). 



The most important investigations in connection with fisheries Fishery 

 are those carried out by Mr. Cunningham. A point to which iiivestiga- 

 he has lately paid considerable attention is the rearing of post- 

 larval forms in the aquarium. This research, when taken in con- 

 junction with observations made by trawling, is yielding valuable 

 information on the rate of growth and the age at which sexual 

 maturity is attained. Information on these points is a necessary 

 preliminary to the serious consideration of any such prohibitory 

 legislation as has lately been demanded. Mr. Cunningham is also 

 continuing his inquiries into the localities frequented by immature 

 fish in the Plymouth area. 



A series of careful experiments into the suitability of the river 

 Yealm for purposes of oyster-farming were made during 1890 

 by Mr. Bourne and Dr. Fowler ; and a report embodying their 

 results and recommending its employment for such purposes has 

 been furnished to Lord Revelstoke, the lessee of the river. 



Further experiments on the rearing of larval lobsters, with the 

 view of keeping them in safety through the first moults, instead of 

 turning them free in the sea at what appears to be their most helpless 

 phase, have been carried out under the superintendence of Prof. 

 Weldon ; the difficulties in the way being apparently the provision 



