14 
The groups mentioned above are by no means of equal rank 
but the table serves to show that representatives of most groups 
come under the scope of Marine Biology. 
So far, however, many may urge that I have not given suffic- 
ient reason for the study of Marine Biology; the search for pure 
knowledge not being deemed sufficient in these busy days! I must 
plead that I have given above the very best reason. The facts 
disclosed may not be general or even seem important; they may 
appear to have no bearing upon human life and economics, but he 
would be a bold man who would venture to assert that the future 
would not find use for them. “To be the recipient of the confidences 
of nature; to realise in all their virgin freshness new facts recognised 
as positive additions to knowledge, is certainly a great and wonderful 
privilege, one capable of inspiring enthusiasm as few other things 
can.” 
In the last fifty years the discoveries of biology have perhaps 
affected the human race more than the wonderful attainments in 
any other branch of learning. There is very much more to think 
about than the mere classification of animals and plants. The dead 
bones can live in the hands of those whose observations of the living 
enable them to interpret the signs of the dead. 
But there is a second reason for the study of marine biology 
which may commend itself as the first and more important reason 
to our commercial spirits. The second reason is bound up with the 
practical application of the science to Fisheries and other industries. 
The British race has to keep up its reputation in the world of 
science and the fight to-day is by no means easy, nor are the other 
combatants likely to wait for us. In marine biology England led 
the world with the famous Challenger Expedition, and the volumes 
published on the collections made by the famous vessel still remain 
the foundation of any library of marine biological works. I am 
afraid, however, in these last few years that the Germans and 
Americans have taken the lead, and smaller nations like Norway and 
Denmark have shown that they are not behind us in fishery investi- 
gations. A glance at the history of marine biology in the State 
of \\ estern Australia is somewhat indicative of the same thing. 
The coast of Western Australia cannot be said to be very well 
known biologically. In fact, compared with the Mediterranean 
coast of I ranee and Italy, we might almost say we had a 
virgin field at least north of Sharks Bay. Collections were often 
made in early days by surgeons or amateur naturalists travelling 
on ships of the early voyagers. Other more general descriptions 
were given even before this by the leaders of many long-famous 
expeditions of discovery, as for example, that of Dampier (1652- 
