ZOOLOGY. 687 
seashore what he happens to find. It is impossible to obtain certain 
stages of growth except at stated seasons, which are not always 
the time when the seashore is accessible. The value therefore of 
permanent stations cannot be overestimated. The zoologists in 
charge will little by little learn the habits of the more common spe- 
cies and by making the materials accessible to special research save 
an immense amount of time now devoted to exploring the ground. 
A zoological station on the seashore will become for biology, when 
fully equipped, the equivalent of first class observatories, and when 
other stations are established on well selected points along the 
coasts of different countries we may hope to gain the materials for 
the solution of many most interesting problems in Natural History 
which individual exertions could hardly hope to solve. 
A better spot than Naples could not have been selected to 
make a start; rendered classic by. the important memoirs which 
have been published upon the animals of its bay, the student will at 
once have a guide and models to follow. 
May we not hope that the noble example given by Dr. Dohrn 
will be imitated in this country and that in connection with some 
of our leading Universities, Practical Schools of Biology will be 
established, where Professors and Students will find abundant ma- 
terial to pursue their favorite studies? — A. AGassiz. 
The “‘Spener’sche Zeitung” (Berlin) publishes the following ex- 
tract from a private letter: — On the narrow strip of coast which 
separates the park of the Villa Reale from the sea, a large stone 
building is at present being erected at Naples, quietly and almost 
unnoticed ; at least the Neapolitan press has paid no attention to 
it. The strength of the foundations— it has taken three months to 
lay them — shows that they are intended for an edifice of consid- 
erable size and durability, and- on making inquiries I have learned 
that this is the Zoological Station which has been occasionally 
mentioned by Italian, German and English journals ‘during the 
last few months. It has been organized and is being built by 7 
young German naturalist, Dr. Anton Dohrn of Stettin, who until 
4 few years ago was a private teacher at the university of Jena. 
He has paid nearly the whole of the expenses, which amount to 
about 50,000 thalers (£7500) out of his own pocket, the only assist- 
_ ance he has received having come from a few personal friends, 
who have lent several thousands of thalers for the purpose. The 
following is a short sketch of his plan. The ground floor of the 
