368 ANNUAL REPORT SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION, 1923 



One other very interesting branch of zoological study that the 

 country offers is that of the marine and littoral invertebrate fauna. 

 This is a branch that many of the members of this society, and of 

 the whole Shanghai community, for that matter, might take up 

 without undue expense or exertion, for most people spend some of 

 their holidays at the seaside, where marine forms of life are thrust 

 upon one's notice. The museum has some good material in this line, 

 but what is wanted is some one to take up this branch and go into 

 it thoroughly, and I can promise that person that he or she will be 

 amply rewarded. Museums at home are crying for such material, 

 and it would be a very easy matter to work in cooperation with ex- 

 perts in America and Europe, and so hasten the day when we can 

 say that the natural history of China is an open book for all who 

 will to study and enjoy. May that day soon come, and may the 

 north China branch of the Royal Asiatic Society, as practically the 

 only scientific society in the country, do its part. 



