New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-08-16
STUDIES IN OCEAN LIFE.
THE UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLvANIA'S MA
RINE BIOLOGICAL LABORATORY.

Philadelphia, Aug. 10 lspeciaD.-New cenoitons
make new needs. When the fish in our native waters
were practically unlimited there was no apparent
necessity for protective fishery laws. Now the pressure
Of demand supply pushes a step further, ana We
beginning TO see the cash value 10 the community
Of an accurate knowledge of the laws governing inc
propagation and existence of native hsnes'
especially the oyster, lobster. etc. Foreign nations
walked up to the necessity Of scientific study In these
lines long ago; japan now has It's laboratory i~
the study Of marine life. But until recently America
has done almost nothing, IN spite Of the tremendous
interests she has at stake; and American students
have been Obliged to accept the courtesy of foreigners
in pursuing their studies Of the smaller forms valuable
either in themselves or as of food for fishes
However. this reproach upon our National foresight
is now removed. The University Of Pennsylvania
which has shown itself in sympathy with many Other
public needs. has established in connection with It's
biological school marine biological laboratory, me
complete equipment and broad plan Of which is at
tracing great deal Of attention amoug Daturalsts
The idea is to make It possible for the first time to
deal intellgently with the problems connected with
the cultivation Of oysters clans. Holsters crabs and
others Of native fauna, that the scientific ana
practical value OF the investigations cannot be doubted
The laboratory Is situated Isle City, N j. wheTe
tract Of about five acres has been secured on Lud-
lam Bay famous oyster ground. The plant consists
at present OF twostory building "a by ~ feet thor
suitable pump furnishes constant supply Of salt
water for the aquara and working tables and num-
Der of boats dredges. travis tOwnets pOundnets, etc.
under the management of experienced collectors aud
fishermen keep up the supply of specimens and enable
the investigators and students to search all points Of
interest in the neghbofing waters.
The laboratory Is under the special protection OF
NewJersey law which gives the right to its nets
at all times for the purposes of investigation New
Jersey was chosen for the site Of the laboratory be-
cause the fauna Of the shOre-waters Of the
state is exceedingly rich, uniting largely the
Northern and Southern marine faunas. The New
Jersey plants are also particularly interesting and
the State moreover, occupies a central position as
regards the oyster industries OF the country midway
between Rhode Island and Virginia. The laboratory IS
easily reached from three OF the greatest scientific
centres Of the country the University OF Pennsylvania
Columbia and Johns Hopkins, 50 that It's work can
he carried on In accordance with the modern university
idea
But it is not intended that this laboratory shau
offer opportunities only to students Of the university
of Pennsylvania 1t is understood that this Is largely
a public Institution. and students from any part OF
the world will be welcomed and viii be anoroeo As
ample facilities the space will allow, wUhou0
The interest OF the general public in the results OF inc
laboratory's investigations is also provided for anu
large marine aquarium will soon be estaDhSheu' Oh d
scale hitherto uninterrupted, where will be placed
nechborng waters and the Northern and Southern
coasts Such an important and extensive enterprise s'
Of course costly. similar establishment al naples,
Italy has cost in permanent plant alone over SlOooo
and is carried on at an annual expense Oh s-o''Vo'
The laboratory at Plymouth Eng, cost SoOooo OuV
il was all paid for by popular subscription ana tns
is the plan adopted by the University Of pennsylvania
An association has been formed for the purpose OF sus
tanng the laboratory at Isle City in the interest,"
OF both science and Industry and strons Appeals arc
being made to those societies ana 70 prlva1 ~ w,
dyfduals who should feel concern In the success OI
the enterurlse The officers may be addressed az
sea Isle City, NewJersey, and are glad 10 furSn Ii
information. - -, -. -
OF number OF welrknOwn men, PrOtessOrS AZ Ilo
University Of Pennsylvania, among them Dr ChaTles
5 Dolley, DR.. HornCe Jayne, DE- John RYDER, Dr.
William Powell Wilson, and Dr. Edward ID. cope:
There is besides well selected corps Of assistants out
rho number OF naturaiists who can be employ en
throughout the year in special invesugat0ns depends
on the amount Of funds subscribed The LABORATORY
;s doing work Of incalculabe importance to our native
industries and it IS TO be hoped that this will receive
a practical recognition from the American pubic