, 1910-05-07

striking feature of the front is the m0nolithic
columns, % #. In height, the pedestals Of
which have q wave decoration introduced
with beautiful effect. Throughout the whole
frontage oceanic features have been intro
dured. Above the principal focade are the
names of the ships of various nations which
have been engaged in OceanOgraphic work,
the Tallsman, the Challenger, the Valdivia,
the HlrOndelle. and others. Below these on
each side OF the front are two allegorical
groups from the chisel Of NJ. Dussart, each
rs TT. i'll height, representing Truth unveil-
ing to Science the forces of the world and
Progress coming to the succour Of Human
ty. In the centre of all is a spacious window
affording ample light. The wealth of light
throughout the whole building is one Of it's
most satisfactory features; in no case hos
the main purpose been sacrificed to urcbitec-
tural effect.
The Interior.
On mounting the broad fight Of steps
from the terrace we find ourselves in the
outer hall paved in mosaic, with q fine re-
presentation Of the Princess Alice, the
Princes yacht, In the centre of the floor
A broad flight Of stairs on each side leads to
the upper floor, while another stair loads
below to the aquarium, the laboratories, the
workshops, &c, and finally to the various
special buildings Oh the edge Of the sea.
The outer hall leads into the great central
ball, the special features OF which would
take an article to describe. On each side of
the great central hall are some handsome
glass doors framed in sculptured woodwork,
opening on two other magnificent halls, each
about 12Oft. long and about Aft. wide. That
ON the right is the conference hall, where
the opening ceremony took place. The oak
panels on walls and ceiling are oil filed with
pictures and decorations illustrative of many
varieties of sea life and sea scenery from the
Poles to the tropics. The great circular
lustres here are constructed of enormous
shells, entwined with seaweeds, Oh which
are perched sea birds, with many great
pearls which serve as lamps. The room is
amply lit by handsome windows. The hall
on the opposite side forms part of the mu-
scum, and is already we'll filed with samples
of all kinds, the multifarious apparatus and
appliances used in oceanic research, and
specimens of life of various kinds from the
whale downwards. Hero, rightly, the deco
rations are extremely simple. On the floor
above are two other halls Of the same size
as those below.
Below the entrance hall is a fine aquarium,
part of which is already filed with samples
of oceanic life. Other equipments Of vari-
Gus kinds, including a specially fitted up
vessel, afford facilities to all DESTROYS Of car
ryin8 out practical work in oceanography.
The Opening Ceremonies.
1t was a distinguished and brilliant au-
dience which filled the great conference hall
on Tuesday, when the Prince himself de
livered his inaugural address. This was
followed by the congratulations Of the re-
representatives. of various Governments pre-
sent-Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Por-
tugal. BY some blunder the representative
of the British Government was not appraised
till it was too late, though the Fisheries
Board was represented by Mr.. Archer. 9th
or British representatives Of societies aud
institutions present were Mr. j. Y Bucha-
nan (the Royal Society," DR.. Scott Kettle
(Royal Geographical Society, DR.. H. r.
Mill (Royal Society Of Edinburgh, PROBES
Bor Herdman, of Liverpool, aud DR.. Fowler.
Naturally French and German Institutions
We're much more largely represented, though
c%uriously no representative from the United
States was present. Altogether there were
about 300 delegates and other guests of the
Prince, besides a considerable number of
ladies.