1912] Ritter: The Marine Biological Station of San Diego — 153 
on more or less interruptedly in previous years. In view of 
the meagerness of funds the plan was to limit operations on the 
biological side to dredging and trawling in depths not exceeding 
one hundred fathoms. On the hydrographic side no more than 
temperature and density determinations were attempted. The 
idea of making the investigations ‘‘eontinuous and long con- 
tinued’? was strongly intrenched in all our minds. It seemed 
that the particular locations at which collections and observations 
were made should be carefully determined and recorded. Per- 
sons competent by reason of training, knowledge and sympathy 
to look after the several scientific interests would be basal to 
suecess in such an undertaking. On the biological side there 
was the reeular staff of the department of zoology and two 
eraduate students, Miss Alice Robertson and Mr. C. O. Esterly, 
who while then at the beginning of their careers in biology have 
remained identified in one capacity and another with the station, 
and have contributed in no small way to its scientific accom- 
plishments. Professor W. J. Raymond, of the department of 
physics, had charge of the hydrographic work and made himself 
doubly useful from his interest in and extensive knowledge of 
the conchiferous mollusea of the Pacific Coast. 
For a laboratory building a little old bath-house on the sand 
spit separating San Pedro Bay from the sea was rented and 
reconstructed. An open gasoline launch, the “‘Elsie,’’ forty feet 
long, with an engine of 15-horsepower, was hired for the work 
at sea. A hand-winch at which four men could work simulta- 
neously was provided for hauling the dredge and trawl. A 
sounding machine and an apparatus for taking sub-surface sam- 
ples of water were improvised, the funds not permitting the 
purchase of even the least expensive regularly manufactured 
articles. Two months’ work, from May 15 to August 15, were 
done. The boat ‘‘Elsie’’ was very active during the whole period. 
A total of 85 stations were occupied, to many of these numerous 
visits being made. The chief localities explored were off San 
Pedro, around Catalina Island, and at San Diego. Although 
research was avowedly the primary aim, it was determined to 
offer a few courses of formal instruction for elementary students. 
Two considerations dictated this. One, the more weighty it must 
