38 



Now these Ascidians have appeared by hundreds in this 

 aquarium, their active larv^ having been introduced with the sea 

 water unwittingly. Tank 33 contains some fine specimens. 



I beg you, however, to observe that, in the perfect form, the 

 Ascidian in no way resembles a vertebrate. It is in the larval 

 stage only that the trace of a common origin can be made out. 



There is one more singular creature to which I shall draw 

 attention, and it will be the last. 



Few, perhaps none of the visitors this evening, know that 

 existing alive in this aquarium is one of the longest creatiires in 

 creation, but such is the case. 



The Nemertes Borlasii, in Tank 20, is about 150 feet long. I 

 confine myself to 150 feet, but Mr. Lloyd tells me I could easily 

 stretch the creature to 200 feet. 



I have now finished my task. I am sure the subject has 

 suffered at my hands, but I do trust some who have heard me 

 may have their attention tux'ned to that science which has to me 

 been the solace of my life. 



Marine Zoology may, in this aquarium, be studied in a manner 

 our ancestors never dreamt of, and the study of Natural History 

 becomes every day more and more important in a sanitary point 

 of view. The peaceful nature of its pursuits have a most bene- 

 ficial efffect both upon the mind and the body, conducing, in these 

 busy days, to health and longevity. 



I was asked recently by a distinguished writer the average 

 duration of life of the Fellows of a Society of Naturalists. I took 

 the average for one year, and found it 70 years of age, and 

 another year 73 years. 



Lord Brougham said, " Blessed is the man that has a hobby," 

 and it may be added, " Thrice blessed is he whose hobby is 

 Natural Science." 



