230 report— 1877. 



was most liberally cleaned out for my special use. From time to time a 

 surface-net was dragged through the tank with the hope of finding larva?. 

 In addition to these means of obtaining embryos I also employed the surface- 

 net in those parts of the bay in which Amphioxus usually lives. All these 

 means unfortunately proved ineffectual, and I failed to obtain any larvae of 

 Amphioxus ; this was probably owing to the lateness of the season, since 

 at the time I left Naples (July 1st) the majority of examples of Amphioxus 

 were filled either with spermatozoa or ova. In any case the Zoological 

 Station, so far from being in any way responsible for my failure, furnished 

 me in a much more ample manner with all I required than any private in- 

 dividual could possibly have done for himself. 



My researches on Elasmobranch fishes proved more fortunate. I obtained 

 an ample supply of material, which I was partly able to investigate at Naples 

 and partly to preserve for further study in England. 



I ma)- perhaps also be permitted to add a few words with reference to the 

 present condition of the Station. Since the summer of 1875, when I last 

 worked at Naples, considerable improvement has been effected in many of 

 the departments. A carefully determined collection of the animals of the 

 bay has been commenced, and has already attained considerable dimensions. 



The department for supplying naturalists and museums with preserved 

 specimens has now been fully organized ; and I can answer for the very 

 beautiful manner in which the specimens are preserved, under the direction 

 of Dr. H. Midler, who has charge of the department. 



The library has been steadily, not to say rapidly, increasing, and in most 

 departments is fairly well supplied. There is still, however, a slight 

 deficiency in systematic works. The greatest addition, however, has been 

 made in the fishing department. Through the munificence of the Berlin 

 Academy, Dr. Dohrn has been enabled to procure a steam launch made by 

 Messrs. Thornycroft, of Chiswick, and specially designed for marine research. 

 By means of this the area of fishing will be enormously extended, and will now 

 include the adjoining bays of Salerno and Gaeta. It scarcely requires to be 

 pointed out how greatly this will increase tho number of forms to be procured 

 as well as the constancy of the supply. 



In conclusion, I would bear testimony to tbe unceasing kindness and 

 willingness to assist naturalists displayed by the acting director, Dr. Hugo 

 Eisig, and would strongly urge the desirability of renewing the grant of the 

 Association. 

 August 1, 1877 



Wooclbrook, Adderley Edge, 

 Near Manchester, 



August 15, 1876. 

 Dear Str, 



I promised to send you word as to the use I had made of the table at the 

 Naples Zoological station, wbich was granted me by the British Association. 



The pressure of business has prevented me from having any paper ready 

 for the Glasgow meeting this year, but as far I can find time I shall still 

 go on with the determination of the material I collected. 



I took up the systematic study of the Bryozoa with the intention of com- 

 paring them with the Tertiary fossil forms from Italy, which I have from 

 various horizons of the Tertiaries. 



I have now determined fifty known species collected at Naples, and expect 

 the number will be considerably added to, though I do not suppose I shall 



I 



