VI. THE DIRECTOR'S REPORT 



To THE Trustees of the Marine Biological Laboratory. 



Gentlemen: I have the honor to submit herewith a report on the 

 work of the twenty-second session of the Marine Biological 

 Laboratory for the year 1909. The year has been a successful 

 one as measured by the growth of all departments, by the genuine 

 and hearty cooperation of naturalists and institutions, and by the 

 increase in our resources. If any confirmation were needed of 

 the necessity and value of the work of the Laboratory, this year 

 has furnished it. 



Trustees. — At the regular summer meeting of the corporation, 

 the following new members were elected to the board of trustees : 

 Nathaniel L. Britton, Director-in-Chief of the New York 

 Botanical Garden, Alfred G. Mayer, Director of the Marine 

 Laboratory of the 'Carnegie Institution, and George Lefevre, Pro- 

 fessor of Zoology in the University of Missouri. The board is 

 to be congratulated on the accession of these gentlemen to its 

 membership, which is now complete, consisting of thirty-two 

 regular members and four members ex officio. 



Staff. — The staff of investigation and instruction in 1909 com- 

 prised twenty-seven members, representing seventeen universities 

 and colleges. There was no change in heads of departments ; but 

 a new course was offered by Professor Edward G. Spaulding on 

 " Philosophical Aspects of Biology and Allied Sciences," which 

 aroused much interest. The members of the staff of investiga- 

 tion rendered their services free. 



The work of organizing the library on a more effective basis 

 received a great impetus owing to the efforts of the librarian. Dr. 

 Knower. It is becoming increasingly important that more funds 

 should be devoted to the purchase of books. There is no question 

 that the enlargement of our library will greatly strengthen our 

 position with the scientific public. 



Attendance. — The total attendance in 1909 was 129 as against 

 100 in 1908. Of this number 66 were investigators and 63 stu- 



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