1891 OXFOBD LIFE 287 



Nevertheless, seeing that an initial expenditure 

 of at least 1,OOOZ. would be needed for the purposes 

 just mentioned, as well as an annual income of at 

 least 400Z., and seeing that even this much money is 

 not likely to be forthcoming for objects of a purely 

 scientific nature, the scheme on behalf of which we 

 solicit your opinion is the following. 



From inquiries which we have made here, we 

 think it is probable that the University would take 

 up the matter, or, at any rate, render important 

 assistance thereto, if the Hebdomadal Council were 

 satisfied as to the desirability of the project from a 

 scientific point of view. It is on this account that we 

 have ventured to address you upon the subject. The 

 appended memorial is being sent, together with this 

 circular letter, to all the other leading biologists in 

 this country ; and if you could see your way to signing 

 the former, you would render additional weight to the 

 body of authoritative opinion which it will eventually 

 convey to the University. 



January 22, 1891. 



My dear Poulton, I am very sorry that, being 

 already engaged for to-morrow, I cannot attend the 

 meeting. But I should like to join the Society. 1 

 Only, please, postpone any suggestion about lecturing, 

 as this term I shall be dreadfully busy, between the 

 book and the experiments. H. has certainly been 

 very successful over a very difficult experiment. I 

 tried it in an elaborate way. But I lacked assistance 

 for the mechanical performance, and so intended to 

 do it here this term. Now I am saved the trouble, 



1 The Oxford Natural History Society. 



