GENERAL SUMMARY AND RECOMMENDATIONS. 181 



in suitable localities, or whether any regulations are required for the protection of 

 the fish -nurseries. 



As an example of an additional investigation such as will naturally he undertaken 

 by the Marine Biologist, I may note that during our visit in February, 1902, to 

 Trincomalee, we found the commercial sponge living in the harbour (fig. 17). I asked 

 Mr. HORNELL to return later in the year and look into the matter. He did so in 

 October, and was very successful in determining the localities and mode of growth of 

 the sponge which is a variety of the true Ewpongia officinalis, and is very similar 

 to the Mediterranean form. Professor DENDY, the sponge specialist, who has 

 examined samples for me, thinks well of the quality, and says, " the possibility of 

 establishing a sponge-fishery is worth consideration " (see also Part III., p. 211). 



Fig. 18. The edible rock oyster of Ceylon 

 (Ostrea cmullata). 



An edible oyster (Ostrea cucullata, see fig. 18) is abundant on some parts of the 

 Coast of Ceylon. The "trepang" and other marine industries are also worthy 

 of attention. 



IX. THE MARINE BIOLOGICAL STATION. 



For the proper carrying out of our work in Ceylon it was found necessary to fit up 

 the scientific man's workshop a small laboratory on the edge of the sea, with 

 experimental tanks, a circulation of sea-water and facilities for microscopic and other 

 work. For several reasons, which were given fully in the " Narrative" (Part I., p. 87), 

 we chose Galle at the southern end of Ceylon, and we had, at first, every reason to 

 be satisfied with the choice. With its large bay, its rich fauna and the sheltered 

 collecting ground of the lagoon within the coral reef, it is probably one of the best 

 possible spots for marine biological work in Eastern tropical seas. But as time went 

 on it became clear to Mr. HORNELL that, for experimental work with the pearl oyster, 

 such as he required to undertake in the course of his investigations, a larger area than 



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