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THE ESSEX NATURALIST.
brought to the notice of specialists which would otherwise be
lost. For instance, the sudden appearance of species not noticed
before, the exceptional development of species ordinarily present,
the effect of droughts and floods, and of the introduction of new
species by man or by animals—all these and many other occur-
rences might, if reported, be the means of throwing important
light on ecological problems through the investigations of those
capable of taking advantage of them. This kind of service
resembles that which members of a Field Club, without being
geologists, can render to geology by watching for and reporting
any new sections which may be opened up in their district.
There is yet another way by which all members could help in
this matter, and that is by bringing specimens of aquatic plants
and animals to the ordinary meetings, either for the purpose of
exhibition and explanatory remarks or with the object of learning
something about them. Both methods are to be equally recom-
mended.
So much for some of the things the individual can do to
foster increased attention to aquatic biology. What can a Field
Club as an association of individuals do ? I propose to make a
few suggestions on this point, some of which may, and some of
which may not, be practicable for us at the moment, but all of
which will, I venture to hope, receive your kind consideration.
As regards indoor meetings, I think it would be useful oc-
casionally to organize special exhibitions of aquatic organisms,
preferably in the living condition. As a matter of fact, this has
been done on certain rare occasions in the past, and I particularly
remember a special show of Desmids held in a room in this building
after one of our ordinary meetings. Such exhibitions, if facilities
could again be obtained for them, would do much to bring the
different groups of aquatic organisms to the notice of those
members who have not hitherto paid any attention to them, and
they should also have a stimulating effect upon the specialists,
who would feel called upon to give a good account of the faith
that is in them with regard to their own particular pets.
Then, as regard the ordinary field meetings, if it were offi-
cially announced that on some of these occasions special attention
would be given to aquatic plants and animals, or certain groups
of them, it would at least add to the importance of these organisms
in the eyes of those who had not been in the habit of paying much