15 



THE NEW BIOLOGICAL STATION AT PORT ERIN. 



BEING THE 



SIXTEENTH ANNUAL REPORT 



OE THE 



LIVERPOOL MARINE BIOLOGY COMMITTEE. 



This Report, which records the completion and occupation 

 of the new buildings at Port Erin, opens a fresh period in 

 the history of the Liverpool Marine Biology Committee, 

 and so gives a fitting opportunity to summarise past work, 

 take stock of results attained, and discuss some future 

 plans and aims. 



Brief History of the L.M.B.C. 



The Liverpool Marine Biology Committee was 

 constituted in March, 1885, at a public gathering of the 

 local Naturalists from Liverpool, Manchester, Southport, 

 Chester, and the neighbourhood, summoned by Professor 

 Herdman to meet at University College for the purpose. 

 The declared objects were " to investigate the Marine 

 Fauna and Flora (and any related subject such as sub- 

 marine geology and the physical condition of the water) of 

 Liverpool Bay and the neighbouring' parts of the Irish Sea, 

 and, if practicable, to establish and maintain a Biological 

 Station on some convenient part of the coast," These ends 

 have been kept steadily in view for the last seventeen 

 years. 



At an early stage of the investigation it became 

 evident that a Biological Station or Laboratory on the sea- 



