( xevu ) 
work of this kind which has been carried on in Europe, 
and especially in our own country, one cannot but regret that 
from tropical regions, where alone the abundance, complexity, 
and incessant activity of life afford full prospect of the 
adequate reward of such research, we have little more than 
isolated notes and unconnected and incomplete observations, 
mere indications—precious as they are—of the rich harvest 
that lies unreaped for lack of resident workers devoted to the 
task. 
It is on this account that I earnestly renew the plea put 
forward from this chair on the 5th May last, for the 
establishment, in tropical countries, of Biological Stations 
for the study of the terrestrial fauna; where, as in the 
existing Marine Biological Stations, naturalists could follow, 
during a succession of seasons, special lines of observation 
and experiment under favourable conditions of laboratory and 
other equipment, free from the hindrances and distractions of 
ordinary collecting travel, and with all the advantages of 
mutual help and encouragement. The living expenses, for 
men of the simple tastes of the naturalist, would not be 
great ; and I feel certain that, with the increasing facilities 
for swift transport, it would not be long before many students 
of biology would embrace the opportunity so provided for the 
effectual prosecution of researches of the utmost value to 
science. 
