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In the event of institutions belonging to the International Investigations 

 of the Sea having collected plankton samples, according to resolutions passed by 

 the Council, and not wishing to examine same themselves, the Plankton Depart- 

 ment of the Bureau would undertake the examination, and forward the result 

 (lists) to the contributors in question. The institutions to pay a fee to be fixed 

 for the examination of each sample. 



This examination may be conceived to embrace, either a whole series of 

 plankton samples or a few selected samples (analogically to the "Standard water") 

 and similarly, either all organisins in the samples or selected groups of same. 



The purpose of this proposal is to further the progress of the plankton in- 

 vestigations, since thereby also countries which, owing to lack of specialists, have 

 had to give up the examination of plankton samples or of certain groups of orga- 

 nisms in the samples, will be able to fully carry out the plankton resolutions as 

 passed. Furthermore, the realization of such a scheme would be highly conducive 

 to homogeneity in the examination of plankton samples, a factor of great import- 

 ance to the value and usefulness of the investigations. 



Our intention is to lay this proposal before the Plankton Section at the 

 Council meeting, and, if accepted there, before the Council as a resolution; it would 

 however, seem advisable that we should have some idea beforehand as to whether 

 such an undertaking might be considered desirable or not. 



The Plankton Department therefore requests you kindly to give your opinion 

 on the matter and solicits the favour of an answer in the course of a fortnight". 



From Russia, Finland, Germany, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, England and 

 Ireland answers were received, but as no Council meeting was held in September 

 1914, this matter has not yet been discussed further. 



