*5 



8th February, ipoj. 



Mr. W. H. Patterson, M.R.I.A., in the chair. 



THE WORK OF THE ULSTER FISHERIES 



AND BIOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION. 



By Professor Gregg-Wilson, M.A., D.Sc, M.R.I. A. 



(Abstract) 



Dr. Gregg-Wilson said the Ulster Fisheries and Biology Asso- 

 ciation was started nearly two years ago. It was soon decided to 

 establish a marine laboratory at Larne Harbour with a view to the 

 investigation of local waters. Larne was chosen because the 

 lough offered shelter in almost all conditions of weather and 

 because the neighbourhood was so varied in character that large 

 tracts of sea-bottom covered with mud, sand, gravel, and rocks 

 might be found close at hand. A small house in Ship Street was 

 rented, and fitted with all the necessaries for studying and pre- 

 serving marine animals. A launch was procured, and collecting 

 apparatus of various kinds. Then Mr. Joseph Pearson, B.S., was 

 engaged as naturalist, and the services of a very efficient boatman 

 were secured. The ordinary work of the Association was largely 

 carried on by means of the dredge and tow-net. With the former 

 the animals that lived on or in the bottom of the sea were cap- 

 tured ; with the latter such creatures as drifted with the tides were 

 obtained. Fishing with larger nets for the more active inhabi- 

 tants of the sea was practised, and shore hunting with spade or 

 graip or hand-net was also largely pursued. The results of the 

 work of the Association had been many. In the first place, the 

 waters of the Larne district had been sub-divided into areas, and 



