MARINE BIOLOGICAL STATION ON PUFFIN ISLAND. 49 
and a couple of small outhouses. The walls are unusually 
thick, and the roofs and floors are in excellent condition. 

GuavA N3dO 


w w | 
Fig. 5. Plan of the Biological Station. w, w, windows ; c, chimneys. 
The small party of naturalists who visited the island in 
March, 1887, for the purpose of inspecting the house, and 
deciding upon the repairs and changes necessary in order 
to convert it into a biological station, were most favour- 
ably impressed with the surroundings in every respect. 
Fortunately, perhaps, for the success of the scheme, the 
weather was perfect. The sea was calm, and during the row 
of seven miles from Bangor several casts of the tow-net 
which were taken showed the presence of a large amount 
of surface life; while a few hauls of the dredge* made near 
the island proved that the fauna at the bottom was also 
abundant, and was interesting in its character. The view of 
the surrounding land and sea was peculiarly charming. The 
bright sparkling spring day, the cloudless sky, the snow- 
clad Welsh mountains glistening in the sun, and the calm 
blue sea encircling the solitary little island, with its old 
grey tower rising from the summit, formed altogether a 
picture never to be forgotten, and perhaps contributed not 
a little, along with our zoological captures, to the energy 
* Fig. 6, on p. 60, shows the dredge. 
4 
