168 eeport— 1879. 



in subsequent deductions, greatly diminishes the utility of such observa- 

 tions as a direct method of embryological study, although they are not 

 without value as furnishing some indication of the plasticity inherent in a 

 given form. 



Better success rewarded what I may speak of as desultory investiga- 

 tions upon the general structure of Bchinoderms. I may mention that I 

 have in hand a contribution to the knowledge of Pedicellarice, which I 

 consider will throw light (if not entirely, at least in part) upon the 

 functions of these obscure appendages. It was also my good fortune to 

 discover in certain Asteroids an hitherto undescribed organ, most pro- 

 bably performing sensorial functions ; an account of which I hope to 

 publish shortly, as soon as time permits me to work up the material which 

 I collected more exhaustively than I was able to do whilst staying at 

 Naples. In addition to the above I am also hopeful of furnishing a com- 

 munication upon the pre-mature anatomy of certain young Echinoderms, 

 for which purpose I was able to preserve and bring back with me several 

 very good series of specimens. 



The general success and continually increasing prosperity of the 

 Zoological Station at Naples are now so fully known from the reports and 

 various publications emanating from the Institution itself, that it would 

 be presumption on my part to offer any remarks in such a direction. I 

 consider, however, that it is a duty for me to bear my individual testi- 

 mony to the admirable arrangements which characterise the working of 

 the Station, and which conduce so greatly to the comfort of naturalists 

 engaged in studying there. The daily supply of fresh material, the tank 

 and aquarium accommodation for keeping the same alive, are highly satis- 

 factory, and leave little to be desired ; whilst in the way of ordinary 

 laboratory appai'atus and re-agents no reasonable requirement is un- 

 provided for. 



I also desire to record my indebtedness for the genial kindness and the 

 ever-ready assistance which I met with not only from Dr. Dohrn and the 

 acting director Dr. Eisig, but the same friendly spirit of courtesy and 

 help w r as accorded me without exception by every gentleman connected 

 with the staff. 



The utility of the Zoological Station being now so thoroughly estab- 

 lished, and its reputation world-wide, it is unnecessary for me to allude to 

 the fact, except to point out that the maintenance of such an undertaking 

 is very costly, and that of necessity the results can only be continued by 

 keeping up the funds. So much good work has already emanated from 

 the Station at Naples that the Institution has a fair claim not only upon 

 biological specialists, but on every one interested in the advancement of 

 science. Upon such an argument, therefore, the Zoological Station is 

 particularly worthy of the support of the British Association, even if its 

 members were not (as many of them have already been), individual par- 

 ticipants in the advantages which the Station provides ; and on this 

 ground I would strongly urge the continuance of the grant usually made 

 by the Association. 



I would further beg to propose a means by which the table might be 

 even more frequently occupied than it has been, and its sphere of utility 

 be thus extended, by suggesting to the consideration of the Committee 

 that a further additional grant might be made by the Association, which 

 would serve as a travelling fund. This might be apportioned in moieties 

 say of 251. to naturalists who desired to avail themselves of such assist- 



