I l U | / | V' 
THE MIDLAND NATURALIST. 
“ Come forth into the light of things, 
Let Nature be your teacher.” 
Wordsworth . 
THE MARINE BIOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION. 
We have received the first three numbers of the “ Journal 
of the Marine Biological Association.” It is the purpose of 
this article to attempt to engage the sympathy and pecuniary 
aid of our readers for the Association, by giving some account 
of its objects and the work it has already done, as set forth in 
the pages of the Journal. 
Historical. — The Marine Biological Association was 
founded at a meeting called for the purpose in March, 1884, 
at which there were present, among many other gentlemen of 
political and scientific eminence, the Duke of Argyll and the 
Earl of Dalliousie, Professors Huxley, Ray Lankester, and 
Moseley; Sir John Lubbock, Sir Joseph Hooker, and Sir 
Lyon Playfair. The objects of the Association were stated in 
the first resolution, which was to the effect that there was 
urgent need of one or more laboratories on the British coast 
where accurate researches might be carried on leading to the 
improvement of zoological and botanical science, and to an 
increase of our knowledge as regards the food, life conditions 
and habits of British food-fislies and molluscs in particular, 
and the animal and vegetable resources of the sea in general. 
As a result of the exertions of the members of the Asso¬ 
ciation, and especially of the Hon. Sec., Professor Ray 
Lankester, subscriptions were collected, and the War Office 
was induced to grant a piece of land at Plymouth, on which 
the Marine Laboratory, the subject of the present article, was 
erected. It was opened for scientific work on June 30tli, 1888. 
Constitution of the Association.— The Association is 
composed of governors, founders, and members. A governor 
subscribes £500, a founder £100, and a member a minimum 
subscription of one guinea annually or a composition fee of 
fifteen guineas. Among the governors are the Universities of 
Oxford and Cambridge, and the Clothworkers’ and Fish¬ 
mongers’ Companies. H. R. H. the Prince of Wales is 
Patron, and Professor Huxley, President; among the Vice- 
presidents are the Duke of Argyll, Mr. A. J. Balfour, M.P., 
and Mr. Joseph Chamberlain, M.P. The governing body is 
the Council, which is composed of the governors who are life 
