xliv 
PROCEEDINGS OE THE 
Creatures whose first state is that of the tadpole, the axolotl 
being instanced, were referred to, and the lecturer then came to 
the immature young of the oyster. He explained that oysters had 
a free-swimming stage when young, so that they could extend 
their range. In bad weather they could not settle down, and so 
they died. The weather of course could not he regulated, hut 
suitable ground for them to settle upon might be furnished. The 
surface must be clean, without weeds or other organisms growing 
upon it. The “native” oyster was an indigenous form found 
between Orfordness and Whitstable. What it is that conduces to 
its smallness of size and peculiar flavour he did not know. Other 
creatures, including the Medusae, were shown and spoken of. In 
one single mile of the sea there were no less than 800 tons of the 
organisms he had instanced, though individually they weigh next 
to nothing. 
The point of these figures was to emphasize the enormous 
struggle for existence in the surface-waters between the fish and 
other organisms. They were interested in the development of the 
food-fishes and did not care for the other organisms, but they must 
enquire how far steps could be taken to protect the fish from those 
organisms. In the first place, the fish were preyed upon, but 
it was quite possible to form parks, enclosed areas of shallow water, 
which might be stocked with eggs collected from the surface of the 
sea, and when they were developed they might be liberated into the 
open water. It was a familiar experience with those who had 
had to do with sea-fishing, that many areas became depopulated. 
At Plymouth, near the Eddystone Lighthouse, the sea had been 
nearly fished out. By providing suitable parks, and collecting 
ova, such barren spots could he perfectly well stocked, but this 
seemed to be difficult, because, before they could collect the young 
fish, these might he devoured by their numerous enemies. What 
could be done, was to take the fish, squeeze out the eggs, and 
hatch them artificially. With the sole this had been tried success¬ 
fully by the Association at Plymouth. When that was accom¬ 
plished they could be moved into the open sea and the barren 
spots stocked with them. But this could not be carried on without 
considerable appliances. The biological station at Plymouth was 
very well set up with many things. There were excellent 
apartments and tables for the use of zoologists, and there was an 
excellent supply of water, but it was not well furnished with 
steam-boats. It had only one steam-boat, and that of such an 
inferior nature that every time the naturalists go to sea they do so 
at the peril of their lives. What the Association wanted was a 
boat which would cost £3000 or so, and although the Government 
had been fairly generous, giving an annual grant, it was still 
greatly in need of funds. If they could be largely increased, there 
was no doubt whatever that very improved methods in the way of 
the cultivation and propagation of food-fishes might be successfully 
introduced, the price of fish reduced, the consumption of it more 
widely spread, the distress in the East End of London and other 
