MARINE BiOLOGICAL STATION AT PORT ERIN. 59) 
that work of this character is only of minor importance—that it is not a great 
matter to make some addition to the long catalogue of our Alge, or to add a 
new variety to our lists, of the Annelids; but then I may remind you that 
most of the great inventions and discoveries of the world have been almost 
accidentally found by men, like yourselves, labouring only in the cause of 
truth, and that every advance in our knowledge adds to the power of mankind, 
and raises him a little higher from the brute, a little nearer towards the angel. 
It is, then, both our duty and our interest to weleome—as on behalf of the 
people of this Island I do venture to weleome—you here who are working in 
the cause of truth, and I may say that whatever may be your own labours, or 
whatever revelations you may have in store for us, we may be at least certain 
that as a result of your discoveries truth will prevail; for it is as true now as 
it was in the days of Darius—if I may quote one of the noblest passages in 
the realm of literature, which has unfortunately been excluded from our 
Bibles—that truth is strongest. ‘‘ As for the truth, it endureth and is always 
strong, it liveth and conquereth for evermore.” (Hear, hear). I have great 
pleasure in declaring this biological station open. (Loud applause). 
The Governor then opened the door of the building, and the party entered 
and made a minute inspection of the premises, and its biological treasures and 
apparatus, and after recording their names in the visitors’ book, an adjourn- 
ment was made to the Bellevue Hotel, for luncheon, which was served up 
in excellent style by Mr. Clague. Professor Herdman presided, and was sup- 
ported right and left by his Excellency and the Bishop. Mr. Thompson was 
the chairman vis-a-vis. The Menu was as follows :— 
SYSTEMA EPULARUM. 
“< Infusio ” (sive Jis)—Cauda bovina. 
Pisces—Gadus morrhua (Ostrea edulis). 
Aves-—Gallus bankivus, var. domest. (tost.—decoq. ) 
Mammalia—Bos taurus, var. monensis, 
Ovis aries (Capparis spinosa) 
Do., juv. 
Crustacea—Homarus vulgaris (Lactuca scariola, var.) 
Amorphozoa—Puddings, Custards. 
Plantee—Fruit-tarts. 
Incertz sedis—Jellies, Blancmange. 
Varia—Desert, Nicotiana tabacum, Caffea Arabica. 
The toast list was as follows :—‘‘ The Queen,” proposed by the chairman, 
(Professor Herdman) ; ‘‘ His Excellency the Lieutenant-Governor.” proposed 
by the chairman, responded to by His Excellency ; ‘‘ The Lord Bishop of 
Sodor and Man,” proposed by Sir James Poole, responded to by the Bishop ; 
“The Legislature of the Isle of Man,” proposed by Mr. A. O. Walker, J.P., 
responded to by Mr. W. A. Stevenson, H.K.; ‘‘The Isle of Man Natural 
