282 REPORT— 1882. 



As to a renewal of explorations, the Committee fear tliat Eastern 

 affairs make the outlook very unsatisfactory, since it would appear that 

 all through the East, in the vicinity of Aden especially, there is a very 

 hostile spirit rampant against Europeans. It is hoped that there may 

 soon be some definite settling of the excitement, but at present the Com- 

 mittee do not think that any plans for a future expedition can be made. 



The results of the Socotran exploration have been so successful and so 

 great, considering the small expenditure of money and time it has entailed, 

 that the Committee trust they may see the same kind of work extended. 

 They trust that the opportunity will not be lost of sending properly 

 trained naturalists into the mountainous regions of Eastern Africa, which 

 the despatch of an expedition by the Geographical Society now presents. 

 The scientific knowledge that would be accumulated by such explorers in 

 that lofty region would be of great interest in connection with the relations 

 of the fauna and flora of Socotra, and not of secondary importance to 

 purely geographical information. 



For the reasons given above the Committee do not ask for any 

 further grant at present. 



Report of the Coikniittee, consisting of Dr. M. Foster, Dr. Pye- 

 Smith, Professor Huxley, Dr. Carpenter, Dr. G-wyn Jeffreys, 

 the late Professor F. M. Balfour, the late Sir C. Wyville 

 Thomson, Professor Eay Lankester, Professor Allman, and Mr. 

 Percy Sladen {Secretary), appointed for the purpose of aiding 

 in the maintenance of the Scottish Zoological Station. 



The Committee beg leave to report that, with the aid of the sum of 40Z. 

 voted last year, further investigations have been made by Mr. Romanes, 

 F.11.S., and Professor Cossar Ewart on the ' Locomotor System of the 

 Echinodermata.' The work of the station was carried on at Oban, where, 

 in addition to the ordinary forms abundant on the west coast, Antedon was 

 plentifully obtained foe examination. 



The investigators directed their attention — 



1. To completing their observations on («) the internal nervous 

 system of EcJdnus • (b) the external nervous system of Aster las ; and 

 (c) the nature of the nervous system of Antedon. 



2. To the effects of rotation on inverted echini. 



3. To the effects of poisons on echini and other invertebrates. 



4. To the natural movements of Antedon, and to the influence on these 

 movements of partial destruction of the nervous system. 



The publication of the results obtained at Oban is reserved until the 

 further researches now in progress are completed this year. 



It may be added that a fine specimen of the rare compound Ascidian, 

 Diagona violacea, was dredged in the Sound of Mull. 



During the present autumn Mr. Romanes and Professors Ewart and 

 Schafer are at work on the Ross-shire coast. The Committee again beg 

 respectfully to request that a sum of 501. be voted to assist in meeting 

 the expenses of the station. 



