28 



Meetings, 1885. 



with a view to their being kept for reference in our local 

 museum. It is sincerely to be deplored— and I may add it is 

 a shame to the intelligence of the island — that so much of the 

 work accomplished in this line, at such an expenditure of 

 time, attention, and means, by the late John Taylor Gallienne, 

 and a few other devoted and zealous workers in the same field, 

 has been left to perish, for want of the little care which a few 

 pounds sterling of yearly allowance by the States, would 

 easily have preserved. Those only who still recollect how 

 extensive and valuable was this collection, are able to form a 

 just estimate of the irreparable loss we have sustained through 

 such culpable indifference. 



There is, however, one other branch of our laid-out work, 

 to which I have not yet alluded, and to which the Society has 

 given but little attention, owing no doubt to the difficulties I 

 have pointed out at the onset— namely, the want of suitable 

 time and opportunities, — I mean the study of the Flora and 

 Fauna of our surrounding seas. I hope we shall soon be in a 

 position to organize parties with a view to explore our bays 

 and shores at the time when the lowest spring tides occur. 

 One can scarcely figure what a splendid harvest of marine ob- 

 jects such an intelligent survey of our rocks and pools, and 

 those of the neighbouring islands, would bring forth under 

 such favourable circumstances. A dredging club, in connection 

 with our Society, is also a great desideratum. Situated as we 

 are, in the very midst of one of the richest and most accessible 

 fields for the purpose, we may be sure that numerous rare and 

 curious specimens of animal and vegetable life from these 

 ocean beds would soon be obtained, and amply repay our re- 

 searches. This perhaps might ]ead to the creation of an 

 aquarium in the neighbourhood of our harbour, which would 

 become an additional attraction to strangers, and a new means 

 of instruction and entertainment for our own people. At any 

 rate such an auxiliary would afford us means of enriching our 



