254 REPOET — 1886. 



The collection of all existing records of sea and river temperature 

 round the coast of Scotland is proceeding, and promises when completed 

 to be of great value in showing the different sea- climates of the east and 

 west coasts — a question of much importance in relation to the distribution 

 -of marine species. 



Hugh Robert Mill, D.Sc, F.R.S.E. 



The Committee beg to recommend that a grant of lOOZ. be made for 

 Tthe maintenance of the Station during the ensuing year. 



Report of the Committee, consisting of Professor Ray Lankestek, 

 Mr. P. L. ScLATER, Professor M. Fostek, Mr. A. Sedgwick, 

 Professor A. M. Marshall, Professor A. C. Haddon, Professor 

 Moselet, and Mr. Percy Sladen {Secretary), appointed for the 

 furpose of arranging for the occupation of a Table at the 

 Zoological Station at Naples. . 



Tour Committee regret to report that, in consequence of the insufficient 

 grant voted for their use at the Aberdeen meeting of the British Associa- 

 tion, they have been placed, during the past year, in a very difficult and 

 undesirable position. Indeed, if they had not been met in the most 

 generous spirit by Professor Dohrn, the Committee would have been 

 unable to carry out the purpose for which they have been appointed 

 •during a number of successive years. 



The following are the facts of the case. Tables in the Zoological 

 Station at Naples are let to foreign Governments and scientific bodies for 

 •periods of not less than one year, and at a fixed annual rental, which has 

 for some time been established at lOOZ. The table previously at the dis- 

 posal of the Committee had been hired on these terms. At the Aberdeen 

 meeting of the Association, held last year, the sum of only SOL was 

 entrusted to your Committee, and they were consequently unable to hire 

 a table in the usual way. Several informal communications passed 

 between the Committee and Professor Dohrn, and culminated in the two 

 letters subjoined, which your Committee submit for the consideration of 

 ±he Council. 



' Ewell, Surrey : November 28, 1885. 



' Dear Sir, — I am directed, as Secretary of the Committee for arrang- 

 ing for the occupation of a table at the Zoological Station at Naples, 

 to acquaint you with the fact that the Committee have been entrusted 

 only with 50Z. this year by the British Association, which they much 

 regret. 



' They are aware that it is impossible that you should depart from the 

 principle of the Institution which you have founded, and that you would 

 ■compromise its interests by letting a table for less than a year, or for less 

 than the regularly established sum of IQOl. They therefore propose to 

 present the sum of bOl. to the Direction of the Zoological Station of Naples 

 without any stipulation ; but I am instructed to add that they hope, 

 should a naturalist approved by the Committee desire to visit Naples 



