MARINE BIOLOGICAL STATION AT PORT ERIN. 61 
for example, that the art of government was a good deal simpler, whilst the 
Socialists of that time had established a perfect Communism; and though 
they had no ideas of property, they were free from all those difficulties to 
which property unfortunately gives rise. (Laughter and applause). They 
must, nevertheless, have succeeded in establishing a fixity of tenure. (Re- 
newed laughter and applause). Perhaps, in view of the heated atmosphere 
of this room, it might also have been some satisfaction to reflect, that in those 
days there were not the ordeals of public luncheons, or, at any rate, if there 
were public luncheons, the fare was a good deal more frugal, and a good deal 
more wholesome than that which we have partaken of to-day. (Laughter and 
applause). In fact, Mr. Chairman, I have often thought myself that there 
was a great deal to be said for that view which Miss Kendall has so admirably 
expressed in ‘ The Lay of the Trilobite.” I should think that every biolo- 
gist ought to be acquainted with that poem. One of the inferior members of 
the hnman family was walking across a mountain, I may remind you, when 
he came upon an ancient Trilobite, upon his rocky bed, and the Trilobite, if 
I may quote the lines, addressed him in some such words as these. He 
reminded him 
“< How all your faiths are ghosts and dreams, how in the silent sea 
Your ancestors were monotremes, whatever these may be. 
You ve polities to make you fight, and utter exclamations ; 
You've cannon, too, and dynamite, to civilise the nations. 
The side that makes the loudest din is surest to be right ; 
And Oh! a pretty fix you’re in, remarked the Trilobite.”’* 
And if you recollect, the man, being somewhat of a philosopher, takes off his 
hat to the Trilobite and walks away, and as he goes away, utters some such 
words as these :— 
‘<7 wish our brains were not so good, I wish our skulls were thicker, 
I wish that Evolution could have stopped a little quicker ; 
For, Oh ! it was a happy plight, of liberty and ease, 
To bea simple Trilobite in the Silurian seas.” (Loud applause). 
Sir James Poole gave ‘‘ The health of the Bishop of Sodor and Man,” and 
the Bishop, in reply, said in the course of an interesting speech, that the 
scientist and the theologian should go hand in hand (applause.) He welcomed 
the Biological Committee to the island, in the name of religion, and of the 
Church of England, and he hoped that ere long he would have the pleasure of 
welcoming the Members to Bishop’s Court, as he now welcomed the cause they 
represented. 
Mr. A. O. Walker, J.P., proposed ‘‘The Legislature of the Isle of Mén, 
which was responded to by Mr. W. A. Stevenson, H.K. 
* << Dreams to Sell,” by May Kendall: London, 1887, p. 8, slightly altered. 
