The Biological Section of the British Association is strongly of
opinion that a marine laboratory, or rather observatory, should be established. upon the coast. The object is the close and continuous observation of the habits of fishes, and especi- ally of the gregarious and edible fish which are essential to our food supply. It is said that we know next to nothing of the habits of the important fishes, and that the information acquired is constantly lost for want of record. Even the fishermen snake blunders, and according to the Inspector of kialinen
Fisheries constantly complain of things, certain kinds of net, for instance, which are in no way harmful. It is proposed to request the Committee of the Fisheries Exhibition to apply its surplus to the foundation of such an obser- vatory, which might then be assisted in other ways. The project appears to be a thoroughly sensible one, and we recom- mend. it to millionaires in want of an object either for expendi- ture or for legacies. A sum of £20,000 would fit up an excel- lent observatory.
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