MARINE BIOLOGICAL STATION AT PORT ERIN. 67 



Guide to the Port Erin Aquarium, 



Introductory Note. 



The tort Erin Biological Station was established hj the 

 Liverpool Marine Biology Committee primarily for pur- 

 poses of scientific research. The first building, the 

 Laboratory, was opened by Sir Spencer "Walpole, then 

 Lieutenant-Governor of the Isle of Man, in June, 1892 ; 

 and the second building, the Aquarium, was added in 

 March, 1893, for the double purpose of permitting of 

 observational and experimental work, and of enabling the 

 public to see something of the wonderful variety and 

 interest of life in the ocean and on the sea-shore. 



It is evident to us, both from our own limited experi- 

 ence in this small Aquarium, and also from the history of 

 other similar but larger institutions elsewhere, that much 

 public interest can be excited and much useful educa- 

 tional work accomplished by well-arranged and adequately 

 stocked and properly kept marine tanks, especially if 

 combined with scientific guidance and personal exposition. 

 The latter, however, although very desirable, is not abso- 

 lutely necessary, and is not always possible, as it some- 

 times makes too severe a strain upon the limited time that 

 the Curator can spare from his other duties. It is hoped 

 by the Committee that the present little guide, drawn up 

 by the Hon. Director, with illustrations by the Curator, 

 Mr. H. C. Chadwick, will enable visitors to the Aquarium 



