400 NOTES AND MEMORANDA. 



The following is an extract from the correspondence of 

 the * Spener Gazette ' of Berlin: 



" On the narrow strip of coast which separates the park of 

 the Villa Reale from the sea, a large stone building is at 

 present being erected at Naples, quietly and almost un- 

 noticed — at least the Neapolitan press has paid no attention 

 to it. The strength of the foundations — it has taken three 

 months to lay them — shows that they are intended for an 

 edifice of considerable size and durability ; and on making 

 inquiries I have learnt that this is the Zoological Station, 

 which has been occasionally mentioned by Italian, German, 

 and English journals during the last few months. It has 

 been organized and is being built by a young German 

 naturalist. Dr. Anton Dohrn, of Stettin, who, until a few 

 years ago, was a private docent at the University of Jena. 

 He has paid nearly the whole of the expenses, Avhich amount 

 to about 50,000 thalers (£7500), out of his own pocket, the 

 only assistance he has received having come from a few 

 personal friends, who have lent several thousands of thalers 

 for the purpose. The following is a short sketch of his plan: 

 — The ground floor of the building, which covers an area of 

 almost 8000 square feet, contains a great aquarium, which 

 will be opened to the public. Dr. Dohrn hopes that the 

 money thus obtained will not only suffice for all the expenses 

 of the aquarium, but also afford a surplus to be employed in 

 covering a part of the requirements of the upper story, which 

 is to be exclusively devoted to scientific purposes. Besides 

 the officials and servants employed in the aquarium, several 

 young zoologists Avill be attached to the Station, and receive 

 a regular salary from the director. Dr. Dohrn. Thus, a 

 number of new positions will be opened up for young scien- 

 tific men. But this is not all. As the only duty of these 

 zoologists will be to devote themselves to certain branches of 

 scientific work, and their exertions will be carefully directed 

 and organized, as has long been the case in astronomical and 

 meteorological observatories, there is every reason to hope 

 that scientific research Avill be greatly facilitated and advanced 

 by their labours. In the upper story of the Zoological Station 

 laboratories will also be prepared for the use of naturalists 

 coming from other parts of Italy and from abroad. For this 

 purpose a large scientific library will be founded, Dr. Dohrn's 

 very considerable private collection serving as a nucleus, and 

 about twelve tables, fully furnished with the necessary appur- 

 tenances, established. Each of the latter will be provided 

 with a number of tanks supplied with a constant stream of 

 •sea- water. Sea-fishing and dredging will be conducted on 



