Marine Algce of the Dwahar Coast 301 



St Andrews Professor Mackintosh is favourably situated for 

 marine scientific work, and has a laboratory ; and nearer home 

 there was a Granton Marine Station some years ago, although 

 it has ceased to be a centre for algological research. Xow, 

 however, by the efforts of Professor Cossar Ewart the Fishery 

 Board for Scotland has formed, or rather is forming, a laboratory 

 at Dunbar. The object of the foundation of the laboratory is 

 the study of the life-history of our food-fishes, and the dis- 

 covery of facts which shall make the fishing industry of our 

 coasts more remunerative to the large population dependent 

 thereon, and the investigation of the Algal flora of our coasts 

 is one — if not the most important — of those which fall to be 

 undertaken in such a laboratory. 



A portion of the land adjoining the harbour has been 

 obtained from the town for the purposes of the laboratory. 

 It lies just behind the old castle. Those who know Dunbar 

 will recollect the ruined archway connecting the east bastion 

 of the castle with the main portion of it. The ground 

 for the laboratory faces this, and the two natural creeks 

 formed at the spot when closed in by a rampart will form 

 two natural ponds in which culture can be carried out. 

 Pending the completion of the full design for the laboratory 

 a temporary one has been erected in which all necessary pro- 

 vision for a few workers exists, and is under the charge of an 

 energetic naturalist, Dr Beard of the Fishery Board. 



"We have, then, within easy distance from Edinburgh — on a 

 coast with splendid clear water, and, as Mr Traill shows, with 

 an exceedingly rich marine flora — means provided for scientific 

 investigations of which it is to be hoped full advantage will 

 be taken. And I am sure that it will be the opinion of the 

 members of this Society that to Professor Cossar Ewart for 

 initiating the scheme, and to the Fishery Board for its 

 enlightened policy in carrying it out, the gratitude of those 

 interested in science is due. As you are aware, a committee 

 of reference in scientific matters has been appointed by the 

 Marquis of Lothian, to which it may be expected the duty 

 of supervising this station will be deputed ; and we may hope 

 that the energy which has been shown by all concerned at 

 the outset of this promising departure may be continued, and 

 that many valuable results may be obtained at the station. 



