ZOOLOGY. 689 
from their Governments. Dr. Dohrn speaks in the most grateful — 
manner of the assistance rendered him by the German authorities 
in Italy, especially by Mr. Stolte, the Consul-General at Naples, 
while at the same time he warmly acknowledges the interest in his 
undertaking, displayed by the government of Italy, more particu- 
larly by Signor Correnti and Signor Sella, the late and the present 
minister of Public Instruction. The difficulties in the way of the 
execution of his plans were neither few nor small, as may be gath- 
ered from the fact, that in spite of the readiness displayed by the 
municipal authorities of Naples, more than two years elapsed before 
adefinitive contract could be concluded between the town and Dr, 
Dohrn with respect to the cession of a suitable site for the building. 
[We are happy to add our testimony to the great value and 
importance of such a biological station as this. Late in May one 
of the editors of this journal visited the foundations of the Naples 
aquarium, and was surprised at the magnitude of the building, and 
the admirable natural advantages of the situation, and he predicts 
a grand success to the undertaking ; the Italian gover t will un- 
doubtedly cherish and protect the institution when its value shall 
be demonstrated. We hope that the success of this station may 
lead to the establishment of a zoological station on the American 
coast. Surely the zeal and money would not be wanting with us, 
if some one would take the lead; and such a station properly 
conducted and with due regard to popular watts, would be un- 
oubtedly self sustaining. Indeed it is not a little surprising that 
Public aquaria and zoological gardens on a large scale have not 
been established in the United States before this, as those of 
London, Paris, Hamburg, Berlin, etc., are, we believe, well sus- 
-— Eps.] 7 
tained. — 
FausaL Provinces or tHe West Coast OF AMERICA. — Àt a 
recent meeting of the California Academy of Sciences, Mr. Stearns 
Called the attention of the members to certain provincial divisions 
Mm the marine faunæ of the west coast of America suggested by 
- Prof, Verrill in the Transactions of the Connecticut Academy of 
Sciences for 1871. 
Mr. Stearns remarked, more particularly regarding the coast ' 
from Cape St. Lucas northward, that to divide this portion upon 
data at present made known, so as to make provinces which 
Should correspond with those of the Atlantic side, is not warranted 
_ AMER. NATURALIST, VOL. VI. 44 
