, 1893-03-01

visited Jamaica in 1891.
Sir: In 1879 or 1880 you published q short
account Of tie scientific researches which
had been carried ON under my direction at the
marine geological laboratory Of the Johns
Hopkins University. A few Gays late you
printed II letter t, ON q gentleman who had
written to you to say that as he was a stran-
ger to me, and ignorant of my address. he had
used this means to offer to me, through you.
certain land near the Chesapeake Bay, in
Naussmond County, Virginia, for the estab-
lishment of a permanent laboratory for the
promotion Of research IN marine zoology; and
he said furthermore, that if the site should
bs approved funds for the endowment OF the
laboratory should be forthcoming. AZ /
found on enquiry that other spots Afforded
natural advantages so great az to ovsrbalaioe
this ~profered gift, it was not accepted, DOR
have ] ever met the gentleman who exhibited
this enlightened interest III science, although
the marine geological laboratory OF the Johns
Hopkins University has continued to receive
generous annual appropriations from the gen.
eral fund of the university.
l write 10 you now, not III the interest OF
our university, but in behalf OF the biologists
and botanists of America. to call the attention
Of your readers t. 9 matter OF national lm-
portancs, in the hope that history may re-
peat itself, and that this letter, like ths item
of 1880, may meet the eye Of some generous
friend Of science.
Steps are now being taken in England to
establish on the coast Of jamaica q station
FOR the prosecution OF research IN zoology ana
botany. 1t 10 to be called the Columbus Ma
rins Bio ogicAl Station, and 1t is to DO 9
memorial to the great discoverer. TO whose
memory no more fitting tribute could be PAID
than to e stablish q scientific institution fer
the prosecution Of discovery in the ocean to
VIII ioh hS owes his fame.
Scientific research and discovery are un-
Qusstionably the most efficient factors IN
the advancement Of civilization and their en-
couragemsut il q matter Of interest to the whole
world, tor science owns no nationality, ana tbs
whole human race profits by its results.
American naturaiists are offered q share
in the advantages Of the Columbus station, and
We should do our part to secure ats foundation.
The vaiuo of observations for The prosecution
of discovery in asst onomy has long been res
cogniSed. and men Of means with "a desire to
benefit mankind by providing for the advance
ment of knowledge have III many well-known
and noteworthy instances 81 lowed astronu-
mlcal obServatories.
1t is not 80 we'll known that, like the
as ronomer, the modern biologist requires,
for the prosecution of his researches upon
tn laws Of life, appliances and opportunities
which are entire y beyond the command OF
the individual worker. A naturalist's obssr-
vatoIy is a new thing, but during the few
yoais of its existence the great Geological
Station at Naples has become widely known
aud Justly famous; for 1t has become the
centre Of the activity of II the naturslists of
Europe. Nearly all the universities and
many of the Govern ents of Europe have
testified to its great value by liberia contrl-
buttons to it's advancement.
Our own relation 10 jamaica is very SIM
ilAl to that which Europe bears to Naples, and
no place wi .him our reach combines 60 many
adj antages tor the purpose. An establish.
ment in jamaica like that at Naples would
afford unrivalIed opportunities for the adj
vsncsnent of knowledge, and as our own
Investigations would be most benefited by Its
advantages, we should feel peculiar interest
in the und rtaking. There are many well.
known reasons why neither cur general Gov
eminent nor that of our States should take
any part in the endowment OF such q sta
ton. and as the most Of our universities bold
their funds III trust for specific local pur-
DOSES. the sources from which the Naples sta
ton has drawn it's financial support are closed
to US.
On the other hand, our private oit zehs are
xAa Rr1nnAtU Ih