THE ROYAL DUBLIN SOCIETY 337 



and the sum of ^1400 was placed at the Society's 

 service, on the understanding that in the course of five 

 years, at least an equal sum should be provided from 

 the Society's own funds. Steps were immediately taken 

 to equip a laboratory, and for this purpose the Saturn, 

 a brigantine of about 220 tons, was purchased and 

 properly fitted. Mr. E. W. L. Holt was appointed 

 marine naturalist to the Society, Mr. Charles Green 

 and Mr. A. F. Townshend consenting to act as 

 assistants. Subsequently fishing boats were purchased 

 and provided with nets, to enable the staff to conduct 

 operations at sea. 



Brief reports of the work carried out appeared in 

 the annual reports of the Council for the years 1898, 

 1899, and 1900. Before the expiration of the five, 

 years, a new Government department had been created 

 by the passing of the Agriculture and Technical In- 

 struction Act, 1899. There were now two Govern- 

 ment departments engaged in dealing with different 

 aspects of the fisheries question, and it seemed unneces- 

 sary for the Society to devote any part of its private 

 funds to doing work provided for by the State. An 

 arrangement was made with the Department of Agri- 

 culture and Technical Instruction for the joint manage- 

 ment of the marine laboratory for the unexpired term 

 of the five years, and subsequently the Department 

 became solely responsible for the work. 



The Veterinary College 



None of the many projects in which the Society 

 has engaged took so long to mature as the establish- 

 ment of a veterinary college. The greater part of the 

 nineteenth century passed in abortive efforts before 

 success was attained. 



The first attempt to raise veterinary medicine to 



Y 



