114 LIFE OF PROFESSOR HUXLEY CHAP. IV 



working table for months, indeed for years, partly dissected 

 specimens of the rare and little studied marine animal, 

 Spirula, of which he had promised to contribute an 

 account to the Eeports of the " Challenger " Expedition, 

 and hard by lay the already engraven plates ; there was 

 still wanted nothing more than some further investigation 

 and the working out of the results. But it seemed as if 

 some hidden hands were always being stretched out to 

 keep him from the task ; and eventually another labourer 

 had to complete it (Ibid.) 



The remaining letters of this year include several 

 to Dr. Dohrn, which show the continued interest my 

 father took in the great project of the Biological 

 Station at Naples, which was carried through in spite 

 of many difficulties. He had various books and 

 proceedings of learned societies sent out at Dr. 

 Dohrn's request (I omit the details), and proposed 

 a scheme for raising funds towards completing the 

 building when the contractor failed. The scheme, 

 however, was not put into execution. 



4 MARLBOEOUGH PLACE, 

 Feb. 24, 1873. 



MY DEAR DOHRN I was very glad to receive the fine 

 sealed letter, and to get some news of you though to be 

 sure there is not much of you in the letter, but all is 

 " Station, Station." 



I congratulate you heartily on your success with your 

 undertaking, and I only wish I could see England repre- 

 sented among the applicants for tables. But you see 

 England is so poor, and the present price of coals obliges 

 her to economise. 



I envy you your visit from " Pater Anchises " Baer, 

 and rejoice to hear that the grand old man is well and 



