nitones, in the United States and Canada, surpasses, as is well 

 known, in jmii-tieal results all tliat has sn far been accomplished 

 in the Old World. 



The role that Australia in general, and Queensland ni 

 particular, is destinel t) play in the advancement of marine 

 biological science, and in the scientific development of her 

 fisheries, throui^h tht- medium of kindred marine laboratories or 

 zoological stations, ha-s yet to be discovered. That Queensland, 

 in connection with the university she is sh ;rtly promised, wdl 

 sooner or later supplement her cla-;s-room and labcu'atory instruc- 

 tion with pi'actical operation-i at the seaside, may be taken for 

 granted 



In recognition of the e.xtraordinary potentialities that are 

 possessed by thiscolou}^ for the occupation of a prominent posi- 

 tion in the development of Australian biological investigation, I 

 have selected this topic, on the present occasion, as one upon 

 which I might appi-opriately offer a few remarks and suggestions. 

 The peculiar advantages possessed hx Queensland are associated 

 with the circumstance that she possesses a line of sea-board 

 stretching far up into the tropics, and embracing the world- 

 famous Great Barrier coral reef, and the many islands entering 

 into the composition of the Torres Straits Archipelago. This 

 extensive area is rich beyond imagination, in the production of a 

 marine fauna redundant with forms possessing both an economic 

 and a scientific value. My professional vocations having, within 

 the past two years, occasioned the devoting of a considerable 

 interval of time to the investigation of the fishery products of 

 this tropical region of Queensland, the fact just alluded to has 

 made a strong impression, and likewise foi'ced upon me a recog- 

 nition of the grand results that might be accomplished through 

 the medium of a well appointed zoological station and marine 

 biological laboratory, established at a suitable location in this 

 district. The indication of a suital:)le site for such an institution 

 is a comparatively easy task. Nowhere probably, throughout the 

 Australian littoral, does there exist a spot so naturally adapted, in 

 every way, for the establishment and maintenance of a marine 



