152 University of California Publications in Zoology (VoL.9 
California, even though no assurance could be had of being able 
to continue the work beyond this season.”’ Another publication 
of about the same date (Ritter, 1902c) has this: ‘* Researches 
in the life of the sea have been prosecuted widely and with great 
energy in recent years. We have learned much, very much from 
them. Perhaps the most important thing we have learned is 
what to do next. Now it is exactly the thing that should be done 
next that we here in California are, by the grace of a beneficent 
Providence, specially commissioned to do. Detailed, compre- 
hensive, continuous and long-continued observation and experi- 
ment—these are the two golden keys that will let us farthest into 
the mighty arcana of the life of the sea. . . . . Who that is 
accustomed to the sea can fail to recognize that an ocean like 
that off southern California, where icy tempests never rage and 
where torrid heat never enervates, must be exactly the sort of 
ocean where observations and experiments of the kind specified 
could be best carried on? . . . . The future marine station, 
particularly the California station, must be planned for physical, 
chemical, and hydrographic, as well as for strictly biological 
research. . . . . The work must go on every hour of the day, 
and every day of the year.’’ 
There being no funds available for putting these large con- 
ceptions into execution, and no prospect of securing such beyond 
the limited amounts that might possibly be contributed by the 
University and a few well-to-do friends of science and of the 
University. only the smallest and crudest beginnings could be 
made. But even a beginning would be something, and confidence 
in the soundness and ultimate workableness of an idea gives a 
sort of magnitude and robustness to what is initially small and 
weak. After having gathered together such sums as we could 
we went at the undertaking buoyantly, saying: ‘‘For the rest, 
like Elijah of old, we ‘stand before the Lord’ hungry but full 
of trust, and therefore expecting the ravens laden with bread and 
meat to appear at any moment’’ (Ritter, 1902c). 
A grand total of about $2000 was guaranteed partly by the 
University, but chiefly by individuals in Los Angeles, for the 
summer’s work in 1901. It was decided to begin work at sea as 
well as to continue the collection and study of shore life carried 
