Page:The Zoologist, 4th series, vol 1 (1897).djvu/433

Rh areas under suitable more natural conditions, the fish could be retained until older and better able to avoid enemies when set free. From the foregoing statements it may be allowed that research has passed beyond probability, and a tangible result obtained, though still more is wanted ere rational legislation and full benefit accrue. To get this within reasonable time additional State aid seems necessary, for, as the nation generally is to benefit, it is not the rôle of private adventure.

We have four University Marine Biological centres. Port Erin (=Liverpool), with voluntary workers, does a fair share of investigation, chiefly, not exclusively, of a local character. The Lancashire County Council contribute towards sea fisheries and technical instruction, otherwise all is private energy. At Plymouth (=Oxford) the researches carried on are of a high standard. The Treasury grant £1000 a year, and the Fishmongers' and Drapers' Companies in round numbers £500 without equivalent. Other funds come from sale of specimens and admissions of public, &c. Most unfortunately this station carries a "white elephant," viz. a building of huge proportions and officials proportionate. This I strongly warned the originators to avoid, but Naples was the model taken, and my advice was disregarded, though now, I fear, discovered too late. It was started with a very large fund (£12,000), but it is to be regretted it suffers from the initial error. Milport (=Glasgow) heretofore has been modest in its aspirations and gratuitous in its labours, though it is advantageously situated towards the peculiarly deep salt-water lochs worthy of further study. St. Andrew's (=Gatty), the first started in Britain, has all along been hampered by paucity of means. For some time the Scotch Fishery Board allowed a slender annual donation (for their fisheries purposes—said donation now withdrawn); otherwise all its high-class work has been solely by private energy. Nevertheless for deeds accomplished she has worthily stood abreast of her more favoured southern rival. Lord Reay puts it in a nut-shell when he says: "There is one feature... of which I can speak without being Zool. 4th ser. vol. I., September, 1897.