Four ordinary and two special meetings of the Council have been held during the year in the Rooms of the Royal Society, London. The average attendance at the ordinary meetings was sixteen. The thanks of the Association are due to the President and Council of the Royal Society for allowing their rooms to be used. A Committee of the Council, consisting of Prof. E. W. MacBride, F.R.S., and eight other members, visited and inspected the Plymouth Laboratory on April 18.

The Council has to record with deep regret the death of Mr Howard Dunn, an Associate Member. As Chairman of the Cornwall Sea Fisheries Committee, Mr Dunn had been in close personal touch with the staff and work of the Plymouth Laboratory.

Retirement of Dr E. J. Allen.

During the year the Council learnt with the greatest sorrow that Dr E. J. Allen had decided to retire from his post as Secretary of the Association and Director of the Plymouth Laboratory. For forty-two years Dr Allen has given unremitting service to the Association, and under his wise guidance the Laboratory has risen from small beginnings to the premier position which it holds to-day. The progress which has been made and the high standard of original work which has been produced are due in a very large measure to his devotion to the interests of the Laboratory and to his gift for inspiring others with his own enthusiasm. The Council is gratified to learn that his eminent services to science have been recognized by the award of the Darwin Medal of the Royal Society.