164 THE ZOOLOGIST. 



the last to establish such an institution. The need of such a 

 Society as it was proposed to found had been long felt, and an 

 attempt had been made to establish one in Scotland. Much as 

 he should like to see a laboratory here like that of Mr. Agassiz, 

 at Newport, in the United States, they must recollect that in 

 order to carry out their object they had to apply to a larger 

 public, who would look for certain direct benefits from such a 

 laboratory as it was proposed to institute. All there knew well 

 that beneficial applications of science came with the overflowing 

 of the full measure of science. Speaking from observation of 

 what had been done to promote the study of biology by the 

 estabhshment of marine laboratories in the United States, where 

 the Government made liberal contributions to their maintenance, 

 he related some remarkable practical applications of the know- 

 ledge of food fishes obtained in the course of scientific research 

 in that country. Thus, the Gray Cod, which had been accus- 

 tomed to leave the United States coast for the Newfoundland 

 banks in summer, were, owing to the operations of the United 

 States Fish Commission, now gradually accumulating through 

 the summer on the United States coast, where they were called 

 " commission cod." Again, the periodical American Shad 

 famines had been prevented of late by the careful observation 

 of the temperature of the water in the bays at the spawning 

 season, and a timely intervention to eff'ect artificial hatching. 

 While some might be induced to assist scientific investigation 

 with a view to the practical application of researcli, those who 

 would support this Society for the sake of science alone might be 

 certain that discoveries which would be made, perhaps in the 

 most unexpected way, would redound to the benefit of the 

 human race. 



The motion was supported by Lord Dalhousie and Professor 

 Flower. Lord Dalhousie explained that, as chairman of a com- 

 mission appointed to inquire into certain difficulties which have 

 arisen between fishermen who use lines and others who fish with 

 trawls, he felt a lively interest in the practical questions con- 

 nected with the habits of fish, and he was sorry to say that 

 ignorance on this subject was not confined to the poor fishermen 

 on our coasts. 



Dr. W. B. Carpenter then moved the following resolution : — 

 " That it is desirable to found a Society, having for its object the 



