32 REPORT — 1875. 



We might, however, remark, as a caution, that the Station cannot provide 

 marine animals which do not visit the neighbourhood of Naples ; and more- 

 over, seeing the strange coming and going of particular forms at various 

 times, cannot undertake to provide certain animals at all times. 



For instance, the investigator who desires to study Pijrosoma must visit 

 Naples at the same time as does the object of his study, otherwise it will be 

 impossible for the Station to procure him living examples. 



b. Physiological investigation of Marhie Animals. — This branch of study, 

 little worked at present, will probably afford rich results in the future. 



c. Study of the liahits of Marine Animals. — Of the importance of this wo 

 have already spoken, 



d. Systematic investigation of the Marine Fauna and Flora of the Medi- 

 terranean in tJie vicinity of Naples.. — In spite of all that has been done in 

 this direction much yet remains to be done. Possibly few tasks seem more 

 promising than a thorough systematic and long-continued dredging of the 

 Bay of Naples and the sea around. The results of such an inquiry would be 

 valuable not only to the systematic zoologist and to the student of the 

 distribution of animal life, but also indirectly to the morphologist and to the 

 Station, as affording certain information as to where and when particular 

 animals may be obtained, and an exact knowledge of the geneiic and specific 

 nomenclature of the forms studied. 



On this head we might call attention to the interesting problems connected 

 with the periodic appearance and disappearance of certain animals in shoals 

 or large numbers — problems which have already attracted the notice of the 

 residents at the Station, and which can only be successfully attempted by 

 long-continued observations at the same place. 



Animal forms naturally occupy the chief attention at the Station, but no less 

 facilities are offered for the study of marine vegetable forms. This is suffi- 

 ciently indicated by the fact that Prof. Cohn, of Breslau, and Dr. Reineke are 

 about to visit the Station next session to carry on algological researches. 



e. The Station offers also no mean opportunities for the physical inves- 

 tigation of the sea in the neighbourhood of Naples. 



/. Experiments on breeding and preserving delicate Marine Organisms 

 in a healthy vigorous condition. — This subject has already, since the Brad- 

 ford meeting, especially engaged the attention of Dr. Dohrn ; his results, 

 however, are not as yet sufficiently definite to enable him to draw up his 

 promised report, though we hope that it will be ready at the next Meeting of 

 the Association. 



g. Transmission of specimens to investigators at home. — Already this work 

 has been carried on, though at present on a small scale. Various inves- 

 tigators have received supplies of animals carefully preserved for the purposes 

 of research. It is proposed, as soon as the fishing arrangements have become 

 more complete, to develop largely this special activity of the Station, so that 

 investigators at home and the authorities of museums may be able to obtain 

 such animals as they may desire in a perfect condition with great ease and at 

 a low price ; in fact, at what is to the Station cost price, 



3, The Scientific results of the Station, 



Since the opening of the Station in the early part of 1874 no less than 



33 investigators have made use of the Station, the stay of each varying from 

 a few weeks to several months, and some of them having visited the Station 

 during both years. 



