NATIONAL ACADEMY BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS — VOL. Vfl 



European institutions of learning ; and in the summers of 1883 and 1884 we 

 had with us at our laboratory a young English naturalist (Wm. Bateson) 

 who had been provided by the Royal Society of London with funds for 

 his researches, the results of which have recently been published in 

 England. 



The Johns Hopkins University was among the first to recognize and 

 act upon this new departure in zoology, and our little marine station is 

 almost as old as the great Naples laboratory. Briefly stated its history 

 is as follows : 



In 1878 a small appropriation was made to enable a party of biologists 

 from the University to spend a few weeks at the seashore in the study 

 of marine zoology. Through the influence of Maj. Gen. Q. A. Gillmore, 

 the Secretary of War permitted us to occupy the vacant building at 

 Fort Wool. Prof. Spencer F. Baird also exerted his influence with the 

 Secretary of War in our behalf, and aided us in many other ways ; fur- 

 nishing us with dredging apparatus and with three small row-boats. The 

 scientific results of our season's work were printed in an illustrated 

 volume, the cost of publishing which was borne by the following citizens 

 of Baltimore : Samuel M. Shoemaker, John W. Garrett, John W. 

 McCoy, Enoch Pratt P. R. Uhler, T. B. Ferguson, Dr. Geo. Reuling, 

 President Gilman, Professor Martin and others. 



In 1879 the appropriation for the maintenance of the laboratory was 

 renewed, and in order to present an opportunity for studying the oyster 

 beds of Maryland, the laboratory was opened in three of the barges of 

 the Maryland Fish Commission at Crisfield, Maryland, a point which 

 proved to be very unfavorable. Maj. T. B. Ferguson, the State Fish 

 Commissioner, not only provided the barges for our accommodation, but 

 he also fitted the steam yacht Lookout with dredging apparatus, and 

 rendered us valuable help in dredging and collecting. Through his 

 influence a small steam launch was also detailed from the U. S. Navy 

 for our use. 



The next year the Trustees of the University voted to continue the 

 laboratory for three years more, 1880-1-2, and they provided a liberal 

 annual appropriation of $i,oco for current expenses, which was renewed 

 annually in 1883-4-5-6, and was expended in rent, wages, fuel, labora- 

 tory supplies, repairs, etc. They also appropriated the sum of $4,500 for 

 permanent outfit, and most of this was used in the purchase of two 

 boats ; a Herreshoff steam launch twenty-seven feet long and eight feet 

 beam, and a center-board sloop forty-seven feet long and fourteen feet 

 beam. 



After an examination of all the available localities the town of Beau- 

 fort, N. C, about four hundred miles south of Baltimore, was selected 

 as the site for the laboratory, and a vacant house, suitable for the ac- 

 commodation of a small party, was found and rented as a laboratory and 

 lodgings for the party, and it has been occupied during the seasons of 

 1880-1-2-4-5, and by two students in 1886. As the director was, in 1883, 

 a member of the Maryland Oyster Commission, the outfit of the labora- 



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