ON rURTHER BESBAECH IN THE ANTARCTIC REGIONS. 319 



also be of paramount importance in guiding a decision as to the 

 desirability, or the contrary, of sending out in the future expeditions 

 more thoroughly equipped for special observations, and in preparing the 

 way for such expeditions, should the preliminary results seem to render 

 these desirable. 



Should H.M. Government, therefore, decide to accept the proposal of 

 the Government of Victoria, and to place the sum in question on the 

 estimates of the coming year, the President and Council will regard that 

 decision with great satisfaction, and I am directed to say that such 

 further assistance or advice as they can give is at the service of H.M. 

 ■Government. 



In their deliberations on the matter the President and Council were 

 much assisted by a memorandum drawn up by Admiral Sir G. H. 

 Richards and another by Sir J. D. Hooker. These memoranda, written 

 by gentlemen having very special qualifications derived from exceptional 

 experience for ofiPering important suggestions, contain so much that is 

 interesting and valuable that copies of them have been enclosed with this 

 letter. Should you think it desirable that the Colonial Governments 

 should be acquainted with these memoranda copies of them will be 

 placed at your disposal. 



I have the honour to be, &c., 



(Signed) M. Foster. 



I 



Report of the Committee, consisting of Dr. Alex. Buchan, Professor 

 McKendrick, Professor Chrtstal, and Dr. John Murray (Secre- 

 tary), appointed for the pui^ose of aiding in the maintenance 

 of the establishment of a Marine Biological Station at Granton, 

 Scotland. 



During the past year the Committee have maintained, for the use of 

 naturalists desirous of making use of them — 



1. A laboratory at Granton, near Edinburgh; 



2. A small laboratory at Millport, Cumbrae, in the Firth of Clyde ; 



and 



3. The steam yacht ' Medusa,' which has been employed throughout 



the year carrying on continuous physical and biological obser- 

 vations. 



A large number of naturalists have availed themselves of these facili- 

 ties, and many important investigations have been can-ied on and the 

 results published. Papers on some of these will be submitted to this 

 meeting of the Association by Dr. Mill, Mr. Hoyle, and others. A large 

 number of specimens of the British fauna have been sent to the British 

 and other Museums. 



The Committee believe that these investigations are of much value, 

 and should be continued and the laboratories maintained as heretofore ; 

 and with this object they beg to recommend that a further grant of 1001. 

 should be made by the Association to aid in the maintenance of the 

 Scottish Marine Station during the ensuing year. 



