68 



Biology in America 



indefatigable and hardy explorer of the Arboretum, Mr. E. H. 

 Wilson. 



Devoted to the study of biology, both here and abroad, are 

 numerous institutions or biological stations, which have, and 

 are exercising a wonderful influence upon its growth. 



An exact definition of a biological station is impossible. 

 The term is generally referred however to institutions, apart 

 from college laboratories, dealing usually with aquatic biology 

 and often operating only a part of the year, but such a 

 definition is by no means exclusive. 



The Main Building of the Marine Biological Laboratory at Woods 



Hole, Mass. 



This is porliaps the leading center of biology in America and one of 

 the foremost in the world. There gather here each summer many of the 

 leading biologists from all parts of the United States; and in it have 

 been made some of the most important discoveries in biology. 



In America the seed from which biological stations have 

 sprung was the primitive laboratory of Louis Agassiz at 

 Penikese, conducted during the summer of 1873 ; where in an 

 old barn, with the twittering swallows flying in and out 

 beneath the eaves, and from whose open door a glimpse of 

 cloud-flecked sky and foam-flecked sea could be seen across 

 the heather, this great student-teacher gathered a little band 

 of enthusiasts to catch the fire of his imagination and carry 

 it throughout the land. Anointed with the spirit of the master 



