ON THE ZOOLOGICAL STATION AT NAPLES. 537 



Occupation of a Table at the Zoological Station at Naples. — 

 Report of the Committee, consisting of Dr. P. L. Sclater, Professor 

 E. Rat Lankestek, Professor J. Cossab Ewaet, Professor M. Fostee, 

 Mr. A. SsDawiCK, Professor A. M. Maeshall, and Mr. Peecy 

 Sladen {Secretary). 



I. On the Action of Coloured Lit/ Jit on Assimilation. By Cecil C. Duncajn'. 

 II. Oil the Function and Correlation of the PalUal Organs of the Ojjistho- 

 branchiata. By John D. F. Gilchrist. 



The table at the Ifaples Zoological Station hired by the British Associa- 

 tion has been occupied during the past year, under the sanction of your 

 Committee, by Mr. Cecil C. Duncan and Mr. John D. F. Gilchrist. The 

 object of Mr. Duncan's research was to investigate the action of coloured 

 light on assimilation in marine algse, and that of Mr. Gilchrist's the 

 function and correlation of the pallial organs of the Opisthobranchiata. 

 The reports furnished by both these gentlemen are appended, and give 

 evidence of much patient work satisfactorily carried out. 



The Committee have received two applications for permission to use 

 the table during the ensuing year. The first is from Mr. B. S. Moore, 

 who proposes to investigate the origin of the reproductive elements in 

 various types of fishes, as well as in other marine organisms ; and the 

 second is from Mr. Edgar J. Allen, who wishes to continue his researches 

 on the development of the decapod Crustacea. Each of these applica- 

 tions is for a period of six months, the first to commence at the end of 

 September and the second in April. The occupation of the table for 

 the entire year is thus provided for. Both these gentlemen have already 

 made valuable contributions to our knowledge of the subjects upon which 

 they are engaged, and important results are likely to be obtained from 

 the investigations they propose to carry on at Naples. 



Tour Committee trust that the Association will sanction the payment 

 of the grant of lOOZ., as in previous years, for the hire of the table in the 

 Zoological Station at Naples. 



Notwithstanding the number of marine zoological stations which 

 have sprung into existence in diflferent parts of the world during the past 

 decade, the Naples Zoological Station steadily continues to extend both 

 in scope and in popularity, and each year shows an increase in the number 

 of naturalists who study in its laboratories : 747 workers have occupied 

 tables from the opening of the Station up to the end of June 1898, 71 

 names being enumerated on the list for last year. 



The Physiological Laboratory, which was built in 1890-91, and forms 

 a handsome addition to the original building, is now thoroughly equipped, 

 and is in full working order. A number of important investigations 

 have been conducted in this department of the Station during the past 

 year, and doubtless many workers in the wide field of physiology will 

 now be attracted to Naples to avail themselves of the exceptional facilities 

 there ofiered for carrying out such researches. 



The Chemical Laboratory is also a distinct and much appreciated gain 

 to the institution. 



The Library, which has always been felt to be an adjunct of incal- 

 culable importance to the study and convenience of all who have worked 

 at the Station, is increasing so rapidly that new and more commodious 



