researchers from Johns Hopkins in the 1890s
A party of a dozen and more Biological Students from the University of Johns Hopkins University of Baltimore, headed by Professor W. K. Brooks are at present located at the Port Henderson Springs for the purpose of studying the Marine Fauna of Jamaica. We are informed that this party remain until the end of August or early part of September.
Daily Gleaner, June 12, 1891.
Daily Gleaner, June 12, 1891.
In the later 19th century, with increased scientific research and increasing numbers of colleges and universities, an interest developed in establishing facilities for both researchers and students. Teachers of 'natural history' were eager to learn how to study in the natural environment. The great Harvard zoologist and geologist, Louis Agassiz, followed the lead of one of his geology students, Nathaniel Shaler, who had run summer field trips for geology students, and adopted the idea for his biology students. His first such project in 1873 at Penikese Island, near Cape Cod, was soon followed by others such as those of the Peabody Academy, and of the Boston Society of Natural History. Louis Agassiz's son, Alexander, visited the Stazione Zoologica which had been founded by Anton Dohrn in Naples in 1872, and returned with new ideas which he incorporated into his home in Rhode Island. A student who studied with both the Agassizs was William Keith Brooks, who, on his appointment to a post at Johns Hopkins University, started a research laboratory for marine biology. This project, known as the Chesapeake Zoological Laboratory, was started in 1878 and continued to operate until the end of the century. As a colleague wrote in 1913 'The Chesapeake Laboratory, unlike the one at Penikese, was not limited to one place; it consisted neither of buildings nor equipment, but of men and ideas.' Thus it was essentially sessions of the Chesapeake Laboratory which were held in Jamaica in 1891, 1893, 1896 and 1897, just as similar sessions were held in the Bahamas in 1886, 1887 and 1892. After 1897 the sessions were held at the station at Beaufort, North Carolina, which had become essentially the permanent base of the Chesapeake Laboratory.
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1891
Members of the party: W. K Brooks, director; E. A. Andrews, associate in biology; P. Bigelow, graduate student in biology; J. P. Campbell, Professor of biology, Athens,Georgia; G. W. Field, graduate student in biology; J. C.Gifford, special student in pathology; R. G. Harrison, H. M. Knower, and M. M. Metcalf, graduate students in biology ; T. H. Morgan, Adam T. Bruce fellow; G. C. Price, graduate student in biology; John Stuart, teacher of science, Hope School, Jamaica; Charles Taylor, Kingston, Jamaica; B. W. Barton, lecturer in botany; Basil Sollers, teacher, Baltimore.
The two last named devoted themselves to botanical exploration and study in the interior of the island, and they did not visit the laboratory at the seashore.
The two last named devoted themselves to botanical exploration and study in the interior of the island, and they did not visit the laboratory at the seashore.
Professor Brooks wrote: Early in May, 1891, some of the members of our party went to Jamaica, which had been selected as our field of work for the season, while others joined us later on. After a preliminary exploration of different seaports, we selected Port Henderson as our station. This is a seaside resort in Kingston Harbor, opposite Port Royal, and about nine miles by water from Kingston. Here we found two partially furnished houses suitable for a laboratory and lodgings, and we rented and occupied them for about fourteen weeks, from May 26 to Sept. 1.
The establishment of a party in a new home at a remote point in a strange country is a task which, in the mid-summer climate of the tropics, is most severe and exhausting. Of this, I was entirely relieved by Dr. Morgan and Mr. Bigelow, who themselves attended to all the preliminary work with great efficiency, and, take this opportunity to thank them for their willing help, which contributed in no small degree to the success of our expedition. Our summer was devoted, in great part, to the collection and preservation of material for embryological work at home, and, as the members of the party are still employed in preparing and studying it, the results are not yet far enough advanced for reporting.
We saw for ourselves an endless variety of most interesting and instructive natural objects, which we had previously known only from books or preserved specimens, and every hour was filled with most delightful experiences of the greatest value to naturalists and teachers of natural science. I am sure that all the members of our party will be glad to join me in expressing our high appreciation of the great advantage which we have enjoyed in the opportunity to spend a summer in laboratory work at the seaside in Jamaica.
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After returning to Baltimore, a series of public lectures, illustrated by specimens and photographs, was given by members of the party, under the auspices of the Naturalists' Field Club of the University.
The lectures were as follows: The Aspects of Nature in Jamaica, by W. K. Brooks; The Zoology of Jamaica, by E A. Andrews; The Natural History of Termites, by H. M. Knower; The Botany of Jamaica, by B. W. Barton; The People of Jamaica, by Basil Sollers [I haven't found any record of these lectures, so far. JL] |
Daily Gleaner, November 24 1891
We understand that at the next meeting of the members of the Jamaica Institute Mr. Stuart will read a paper on the animal life in the waters on our coasts. For several months this year, - we think from May to August a party of American naturalists under the leadership of Dr. Brooks, of Johns Hopkins University, at Baltimore, lived at Port Henderson and pursued their investigations with the subject Mr. Stuart is to handle, and we believe that his paper will give some account of the results of the investigations. The hope is entertained by many that what has been done may lead to the establishment of a Biological Station here. We suppose Mr. Stuart will tell us whether the results already gathered encourage the hope.
We understand that at the next meeting of the members of the Jamaica Institute Mr. Stuart will read a paper on the animal life in the waters on our coasts. For several months this year, - we think from May to August a party of American naturalists under the leadership of Dr. Brooks, of Johns Hopkins University, at Baltimore, lived at Port Henderson and pursued their investigations with the subject Mr. Stuart is to handle, and we believe that his paper will give some account of the results of the investigations. The hope is entertained by many that what has been done may lead to the establishment of a Biological Station here. We suppose Mr. Stuart will tell us whether the results already gathered encourage the hope.
1892 'The Columbus Marine Biological Station' >>>
Popular Science Monthly | Volume 44 | February 1894
NOTES FROM A MARINE BIOLOGICAL LABORATORY.
By Prof. WILLIAM S. WINDLE.
FOR the past fifteen years it has been customary for the members of the Biological Department of the Johns Hopkins University to devote the summer vacations to pursuing their studies on the seashore. "The Johns Hopkins Marine Laboratory," as the organization is called, is under the direction of Prof. W. K. Brooks, and has been confined to no permanent location, but has been moved from place to place as the wishes of those interested demanded. Many seasons were spent in studying animal forms found in waters of the Chesapeake Bay. For a few years the laboratory was stationed at Beaufort, N. C. Then Green Turtle and Biminy Islands of the Bahamas were chosen as stations for biological research. Finally, the organization went so far south as the island of Jamaica. The site of the present marine laboratory is Port Henderson, Jamaica, where it was located two years ago. To secure best results in research upon embryonic forms, our party set out early for the sea. With full equipment for the laboratory we boarded the steamer Ryvingen and sailed down the Chesapeake Bay en route for the West Indies. The voyage was uneventful for the most part. After the lighthouses and white sandy hills of the Eastern Shore had disappeared beneath the horizon, we continued our course steadily to the southeast, with little to entertain us but occasional schools of flying fish and the flock of "Mother Carey's chickens" which followed our boat all the way. Large jellyfish and ctenophores floated by occasionally. On the fourth day out we passed Watling's Island, or San Salvador, and other smaller islands of the Bahamas. Next day we rounded the eastern coast of Cuba, and by using the captain's field glass could easily determine the characteristic features of the island. Its mountains appear quite high and rugged in the interior, and they slope rapidly by foothills and broad terraces down to the sea. The shores of Cuba afforded us our first glimpse of cocoanut palms, banana and sugar-cane plantations. It was a beautifully clear and starry night when we sailed into Windward Passage. The gray mountains of Cuba outlined against the northern horizon were slowly fading from view, when the crescent moon arose out of the waves in the east. The north star hung low, and in the south the Southern Cross appeared to us for the first time. With such new and charming surroundings we spent the evening very delightfully on deck. Not the least interesting was the phosphorescence in the waves and spray. Each crested wave, as it receded from the bow, seemed alive with hosts of glowing fireflies. It was a grand sight to watch the turbulent, sparkling stream that followed in the ship's wake. Disturbed by the motion of propeller and rudder, millions of minute phosphorescent organisms were thrown to the surface like brilliant, sparkling gems. Now and then large ctenophores emerged from the depths, displaying rich halos of light for a moment, then disappeared in the surf. In no other place did we notice such rich displays of phosphorescence.
NOTES FROM A MARINE BIOLOGICAL LABORATORY.
By Prof. WILLIAM S. WINDLE.
FOR the past fifteen years it has been customary for the members of the Biological Department of the Johns Hopkins University to devote the summer vacations to pursuing their studies on the seashore. "The Johns Hopkins Marine Laboratory," as the organization is called, is under the direction of Prof. W. K. Brooks, and has been confined to no permanent location, but has been moved from place to place as the wishes of those interested demanded. Many seasons were spent in studying animal forms found in waters of the Chesapeake Bay. For a few years the laboratory was stationed at Beaufort, N. C. Then Green Turtle and Biminy Islands of the Bahamas were chosen as stations for biological research. Finally, the organization went so far south as the island of Jamaica. The site of the present marine laboratory is Port Henderson, Jamaica, where it was located two years ago. To secure best results in research upon embryonic forms, our party set out early for the sea. With full equipment for the laboratory we boarded the steamer Ryvingen and sailed down the Chesapeake Bay en route for the West Indies. The voyage was uneventful for the most part. After the lighthouses and white sandy hills of the Eastern Shore had disappeared beneath the horizon, we continued our course steadily to the southeast, with little to entertain us but occasional schools of flying fish and the flock of "Mother Carey's chickens" which followed our boat all the way. Large jellyfish and ctenophores floated by occasionally. On the fourth day out we passed Watling's Island, or San Salvador, and other smaller islands of the Bahamas. Next day we rounded the eastern coast of Cuba, and by using the captain's field glass could easily determine the characteristic features of the island. Its mountains appear quite high and rugged in the interior, and they slope rapidly by foothills and broad terraces down to the sea. The shores of Cuba afforded us our first glimpse of cocoanut palms, banana and sugar-cane plantations. It was a beautifully clear and starry night when we sailed into Windward Passage. The gray mountains of Cuba outlined against the northern horizon were slowly fading from view, when the crescent moon arose out of the waves in the east. The north star hung low, and in the south the Southern Cross appeared to us for the first time. With such new and charming surroundings we spent the evening very delightfully on deck. Not the least interesting was the phosphorescence in the waves and spray. Each crested wave, as it receded from the bow, seemed alive with hosts of glowing fireflies. It was a grand sight to watch the turbulent, sparkling stream that followed in the ship's wake. Disturbed by the motion of propeller and rudder, millions of minute phosphorescent organisms were thrown to the surface like brilliant, sparkling gems. Now and then large ctenophores emerged from the depths, displaying rich halos of light for a moment, then disappeared in the surf. In no other place did we notice such rich displays of phosphorescence.
After a six-days' voyage we landed safely at Port Antonio, on the north side of Jamaica. Here we took carriages for a drive of sixty miles across the island to Kingston, its capital. The road we traveled was a well-built public thoroughfare, fully equaling the American "gravel road." It followed the coast line pretty closely for twenty-eight miles to Annotto Bay, then extended into the interior by way of the Wag Water River. Reaching the "divide" of the Blue Mountains, the road rapidly descended by a circuitous route into the broad valleys of the south side of the island. This drive across Jamaica affords the tourist a fair idea of its life and scenery. The majestic cocoanut palm, the luxuriant banana plant, and the feathery bamboo grace the landscape in every direction. The primitive bamboo cabins, with their dusky occupants, the barefooted market women, "John Crow" the buzzard, and "Old Joe" the pelican, soon become familiar objects to the tourist in the West Indies. On reaching Kingston we found our way through its narrow streets to Market Wharf, where we took passage on the steam launch Firefly for Port Henderson, our final destination. This is a little village of a dozen or more buildings lying across the harbor to the southwest about four miles from Kingston. It is a seaside resort for Jamaicans of leisure, and a more attractive and suitable spot about the harbor could not have been chosen. In the rear of the village Salt Pond Hill rises abruptly to a height of one thousand feet or more, and upon its highest point are the ruins of an old stone fort known as "Rodney's Lookout." From this position a glorious view of the surrounding country is obtained. Here, in the early days of pirates and buccaneers. Admiral Rodney had his stronghold, whence he could look out upon the harbor and sea and detect the approach of enemies.
From the veranda of our laboratory we had a grand view of Kingston Harbor, in which the entire fleet of the English navy might anchor with safety. Following the low, sandy beach to the left we see the fishermen's hamlets and old Fort Augusta. Across the harbor the city of Kingston appears in dim outline; and off to the right, upon the end of the " pallisadoes " protecting the harbor, lies old Port Royal, which was nearly destroyed by the earthquake of 1692. To the southeast the harbor opened out into the deep waters of the Caribbean Sea. The beautiful landscape stretching out thus before us was completed by the Blue Mountains, which formed a dark gray background. The highest point of the range is Blue Mountain Peak (7,560 feet). It appears in bold relief above the range, twelve miles east of Kingston, Two years ago some of our party made the ascent of the mountain. They encamped on the peak overnight, and enjoyed the rare luxury of soft beds of tree-fern leaves improvised for the occasion. The location of our laboratory offered many facilities for biological research. Numerous coral reefs, mangrove swamps, and salt ponds were all within an hour's sail from our port. Good opportunity for study is also found on land. The hills in the rear and the broad valley of the Rio Cobre, not far away, are stocked with land crabs, lizards, termites, scorpions, and the like. Bird life is not so abundant as we had anticipated, but to a botanist the flora of Jamaica offers a most attractive field for study.
By those who are acquainted with the coast of Jamaica, Port Henderson is thought to be the most suitable location on the island for a permanent marine laboratory. It offers many advantages for study of life in tropical waters ; its collecting grounds and its facilities for "towing" and "dredging" are next in value to those of the Gulf Stream. The location is in the immediate vicinity of Kingston, whence the temporary wants of the party may be readily supplied. It is also in direct communication with New York and Liverpool by steamer and cable. With a view, then, of locating a permanent laboratory for promoting the study of marine biology, a plan is at present being considered by prominent biologists at home and abroad for establishing an "International Marine Biological Station " at the place above named. It is sincerely hoped that the preliminary steps taken in this direction may lead to the establishment of the much-needed institution on American shores.
The building which we called our "Marine Laboratory" was a large, one-story stone structure, known as the "Sister Houses." It was light, airy, and comfortable, affording ample room for our party of seven. Each member of the company occupied a separate table, and upon this his microscope was placed, together with a varied collection of specimens, "preserving" fluids, dishes, scalpels, etc., the whole forming a veritable " biologist's corner." In other parts of the building were our nets, buckets, jars, gun, and dredge, also books and chemical reagents, arranged as occasion and space suggested.
Our usual programme for the day began with early coffee and toast; then we repaired to our sloop with nets, water glass, dredge, etc., and rowed out to the coral reefs or so-called cays. Landing on one of these, we waded about in water, varying in depth from tiny waves that rippled over the sandy beach to breakers whose white crests dashed over our shoulders, and filled our faces with salty spray. After collecting for two or three hours we would sail for port. One rule adopted for these expeditions shows the ease and freedom existing among the members of our party i.e., " No one is allowed to capsize the boat more than three times; more than this is considered dangerous on account of sharks." The regulation was closely observed. When the laboratory was reached, the morning's collection was set aside for an hour, while all prepared for breakfast by taking a plunge into a large swimming pool near by. Our meals were served after the English custom prevailing on the island, and were characterized by a large variety of tropical fruits and vegetables. The Ripley pineapples, No. 11 mangoes, and sapodillas were luscious fruits, but quite forgotten when we returned to the States and found American melons and peaches. After breakfast the remainder of the day was generally devoted to the study and preservation of the morning's collection. After a lunch of fruits and limeade we frequently took walks over Salt Pond Hill or up the valley of the Rio Cobre, in search of termites, scorpions, centipedes, and lizards. Late in the evening was the best time for "towing," although we often went out early in the morning. To do surface collecting we would row out upon the quiet bay about a mile from shore, then throw out two nets made of fine silk bolting cloth. These were tied by long cords to the stern of the boat, so as to drag near the surface of the water. The nets were carefully emptied into buckets of fresh sea water every few minutes. The " tow," or material thus captured, was taken directly to the laboratory and examined. By dipping out small portions in glass dishes and holding them up to the light we could detect a great number of minute pelagic animals swimming about in great commotion. These "surface collections " are intensely interesting, for in them the biologist finds multitudes of embryonic forms in various stages of their development. The larvae of starfish, sea urchins, shrimps, conchs, and other forms, appear in their normal living state under his lens. Besides larvae, numerous adult forms, as Sagitta, Appendicularia, platoid worms, Medusca, and green Algae, are collected. A careful survey of the hosts of forms thus captured, and a fair understanding of their true significance, prepare one for the often-repeated statement that "the ocean is the original home of all life." We are impressed with the fact that it is from this source that we must seek further information that shall throw light upon many biological problems at present unsolved. A few days of general collecting in the sea suffices to reveal the great abundance of life in the ocean as compared with its scarcity on land.
The various expeditions taken by our party in the tropics would have been interesting and enjoyable to almost any one. To the casual observer they may have presented the appearance of pleasure excursions, rather than trips for earnest work and study.
On one occasion we sailed to Salt Pond, a kind of lagoon bordering the sea, where numbers of crocodile and turtle were frequently found. We had been rowing about for some time in the pond with no success except that of catching mullet with a throw-net, and taking note of the numerous cranes, pelicans, and bitterns flying about, when we came upon a "crocodile slide." This is a smooth, broad trail leading up the bank, which the beast follows when it wishes to prepare a nest in the sand for its eggs, or take a ramble beneath the underbrush.
No sooner had we neared the slide than here came a frightened crocodile about seven feet in length, dragging himself down the slippery bank into the water. As it swam out in front of our boat, its black nose protruded above the surface, offering a fine shot, but fortunately for the crocodile our gun was left at home.
Before leaving the pond we secured a fine collection of large, beautiful jellyfish (Cassiopea), and luckily for us the boatman discovered a dozen or more little crocodiles among the mangrove roots; we all repaired to the scene, and amid much excitement succeeded finally in capturing one.
On one occasion we sailed to Salt Pond, a kind of lagoon bordering the sea, where numbers of crocodile and turtle were frequently found. We had been rowing about for some time in the pond with no success except that of catching mullet with a throw-net, and taking note of the numerous cranes, pelicans, and bitterns flying about, when we came upon a "crocodile slide." This is a smooth, broad trail leading up the bank, which the beast follows when it wishes to prepare a nest in the sand for its eggs, or take a ramble beneath the underbrush.
No sooner had we neared the slide than here came a frightened crocodile about seven feet in length, dragging himself down the slippery bank into the water. As it swam out in front of our boat, its black nose protruded above the surface, offering a fine shot, but fortunately for the crocodile our gun was left at home.
Before leaving the pond we secured a fine collection of large, beautiful jellyfish (Cassiopea), and luckily for us the boatman discovered a dozen or more little crocodiles among the mangrove roots; we all repaired to the scene, and amid much excitement succeeded finally in capturing one.
One of the most productive collecting fields for our studies was that in the mangrove ponds off the "pallisadoes," near Port Royal. The mangroves in this region have extended into the shoal water, thus forming a number of quiet ponds and canals. We found life very abundant here. Upon the mangrove roots great clusters of Clavelina, simple ascidians, and colonies of hydroids hung near the surface of the water. Battery actinians and Botryllus grew in the warm waters, attached to blades of eel grass. Echinoderms were very abundant. Sea urchins (Strongylocentrotus) were thickly strewn over the bottoms of the ponds. Of starfish we collected three forms (Echinaster, Asteropectin, and Astorina). For holothurians no other place along the coast was better. They were profusely scattered about over the muddy bottoms of the ponds. Some were dark brown, others large and spotted, growing to a length of eight and ten inches. Our experience in collecting and preserving these large holothurians was always exasperating, for, try any experiment we might, they would always end with negative results. About the time we considered them fully narcotized they began contracting the muscles of the body walls, then suddenly eviscerated themselves. One very interesting form (Synapta vivipara) was found in great numbers growing among the filaments of a certain alga in the ponds. Sponges, gasteropods, and annelids were also numerous about the mangroves.
Taking the animals alive to the laboratory was an important part of our expeditions. For this purpose we used water buckets and open jars. The various specimens were distributed in different vessels, so as not to be crowded; these were allowed as much fresh sea water as possible, which was changed repeatedly.
Taking the animals alive to the laboratory was an important part of our expeditions. For this purpose we used water buckets and open jars. The various specimens were distributed in different vessels, so as not to be crowded; these were allowed as much fresh sea water as possible, which was changed repeatedly.
Of all our excursions during the season, those of most popular interest were to the cays which were out in the Caribbean Sea, two to ten miles from our laboratory. They may be described as small islets jutting above the waves a few feet. Some were covered with mangrove bushes, others were of bare rock and sand, over which large waves would break. By overturning stones in the shallow water we found many interesting animals. Brittle stars and sea baskets often shared their homes with spiny annalids and coiling synaptas. Darting about among the rocks were little rock crabs, young lobsters, and small shrimps. Beautiful sea anemones and turbellarian worms were numerous upon the rocks. Wading out a few steps into the deeper water we came to rich coral formations ; and looking through a water glass we could see as through an open window into these beautiful gardens under the sea. There were massive brain corals (Meandrina) growing in scattered groups, with other interesting species between ; clus- ters of star corals (Astrcea) and branching stag-horns (Oculina) covered large areas. In the clear, open spaces were exquisite sea fans and sea feathers (Alcyonaria) waving their graceful forms to and fro with the tide. The scene was made even more charming when schools of beautifully colored coral fish, goldfish, and mullet swam in and out among the corals and into the open sea. A poet has seen these quiet parlors of the fishes and thus described them :
"There with a light and easy motion
The fan-coral sweeps through the clear, deep sea,
And the yellow and scarlet tufts of ocean
Are bending like corn on the upland lea,
And life in rare and beautiful forms,
Is sporting amid those bowers of stone;
Where the purple mullet and goldfish rove,
Where the waters murmur tranquilly
Through the bending twigs of the coral grove."
[James Gates Percival, 1795 - 1856]
"There with a light and easy motion
The fan-coral sweeps through the clear, deep sea,
And the yellow and scarlet tufts of ocean
Are bending like corn on the upland lea,
And life in rare and beautiful forms,
Is sporting amid those bowers of stone;
Where the purple mullet and goldfish rove,
Where the waters murmur tranquilly
Through the bending twigs of the coral grove."
[James Gates Percival, 1795 - 1856]
Any report of the Johns Hopkins Marine Laboratory in Jamaica would be incomplete without mention of the kind hospitality shown us by the citizens. Our party was cordially received wherever it went; and at the laboratory we were honored by calls from chief officials residing in Spanish Town, Kingston, and Port Royal. As a body of American students, we had the pleasure of taking lunch at "The King's House" with Lady Blake, the governor's wife. It was very gratifying to find the prominent citizens of Jamaica enthusiastic in their encouragement of biological research on the island.
As to the results of the summer's work in the tropics, little can be said at present that is final, since much of it is not yet completed. A good quantity of valuable material was preserved for future study. Very full notes and drawings of the animals in their living and normal condition were made. These notes and drawings, together with the alcoholic specimens, are stowed away awaiting further investigation, to be carried on chiefly at the Johns Hopkins University.
As to the results of the summer's work in the tropics, little can be said at present that is final, since much of it is not yet completed. A good quantity of valuable material was preserved for future study. Very full notes and drawings of the animals in their living and normal condition were made. These notes and drawings, together with the alcoholic specimens, are stowed away awaiting further investigation, to be carried on chiefly at the Johns Hopkins University.
Professor William S. Windle, Plant Morphology, Structural and Systematic Botany, Animal Morphology, Physiological and Animal Histology, and Chemistry at Purdue University' under two professors now at Harvard, and two now at Chicago University, he was tendered a fellowship at Clark University, but pursued Physiology and Animal Morphology as Major, and Chemistry as Minor, subject, at Johns Hopkins, and is now with the Johns Hopkins Scientific expedition in Jamaica. (resumé as member of faculty at Penn College, Iowa.)
Daily Gleaner, July 17, 1896
Editorial
JAMAICA AS A TROPICAL MARINE BIOLOGICAL STATION.
For a more complete appreciation of the conditions and forms of life in all its varied aspects, for a greater realization of the possible manifestations of protoplasm, in both its animal and vegetable phases, it is recognised by most biologists, that, to one's experience of nature in temperate parts, must be added a practical knowledge of the luxuriant and characteristic life of the tropics. Only thus, by an acquaintance under natural conditions, can the student fully appreciate the great variety of life and the immense problems of biological enquiry, especially those of the struggles fora livelihood and the wonderful modifications adapting the organism to such a competitive existence as holds nowhere so markedly as in the tropics. Prof. W. K. BROOKS, of the Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, has realised this in its full importance, and for the last ten years has endeavoured to obtain such for his students, before completing their course, taken as an addition to their University laboratory training, and to their experience of marine life in its temperate aspects, such as they may obtain at the Woods Hall Marine Laboratory, Mass., or at the one at Beaufort, N.C. For this object, Dr. BROOKS gives the preference to Jamaica, on account of the more typical and varied conditions of both its marine and terrestrial life. According to his experience, the Bahamas may be superior for a study of the fascinating life of the coral-reefs, but, for the requirements of a more general training, our colony is better adapted. In 1891, a party of fifteen students with their Professor, made a stay of over three months, fixing their head-quarters at Port Henderson, within a convenient distance of Kingston; and in that period visited and collected from most of the important spots in the island. Again, in 1893, a contingent, under DR. BIGELOW, carried out the same plan; and this year a party, consisting of Messrs. CONANT, CLARK, and SUDLER, is spending about three months, under the superintendence of Professor BROOKS.
These gentlemen at the desire of the Board of Governors of the Institute of Jamaica afforded, in the form of a special Members' Meeting, an opportunity to the members of the Institute of becoming acquainted with the special nature of the work now being carried out by them in the Marine Laboratory at Port Henderson. A full report of the meeting appears elsewhere in this morning's issue. It is of their influence upon the progress of biological work in the island, that we are now more particularly concerned. While the representatives of our land's fauna and flora are fairly well known — due to exertions of local naturalists such as HILL, ROBINSON, and VENDRYES; and the studies of others who have made longer or shorter stays, such as SLOANE, GOSSE, and NEWTON — with the exception of the fishes, very little has been done upon the forms of marine life. It is, therefore, very encouraging to find, that, while the studies of our visitors are mainly embryological and morphological — the results of which are of interest chiefly to specialists — an abundance of facts of local faunistic importance is being gathered and embodied in their Reports in the Johns Hopkins University Circulars. As a result of the collections of the '91 students we have a partial list of Decapod Crustaceans — crabs, lobsters — and one of the more common Echinoderms — star-fishes, sea-eggs, sea-cucumbers — as well as copious other notes concerning our fauna. In later issues of the circular there are many references to material and species found here, all of which will greatly assist in the future compilation of the Fauna of Jamaica.
The Institute of Jamaica, charged by Government with the advancement in the island of Science, as well as of Literature and Art, has not been slow in recognising the value to the Island of the work carried out by our American friends, and has always placed whatever advantages it possesses at their disposal. It is now endeavouring to make the relation even closer, by forming, as far as possible, complete named collections of its marine vertebrates and invertebrates, so that future students may find, in its Museum cases and cabinets, the material enabling them to identify the forms of life new in their experience, Prof. BROOKS, on the other hand, is pleased to afford every assistance in the naming of our specimens, and also in the deposit in our collections of duplicates of types collected by those under his charge. Considering the superior advantages of Jamaica as a Tropical Biological Station the Board of Governors of the Institute has long realized that it might be well if some scheme could be carried out, under its auspices, for holding Vacation Biological Sessions, open to naturalists from all parts of Europe and America desirous of gaining a tropical experience. This object, strongly supported by Dr. PLAXTON, Chairman of the Museum Committee, will be much progressed by the knowledge of our waters being gained by the pioneering work of the JOHNS HOPKINS students, and by the accumulation of the material and the necessary literature now being made in this direction by the Institute.
Editorial
JAMAICA AS A TROPICAL MARINE BIOLOGICAL STATION.
For a more complete appreciation of the conditions and forms of life in all its varied aspects, for a greater realization of the possible manifestations of protoplasm, in both its animal and vegetable phases, it is recognised by most biologists, that, to one's experience of nature in temperate parts, must be added a practical knowledge of the luxuriant and characteristic life of the tropics. Only thus, by an acquaintance under natural conditions, can the student fully appreciate the great variety of life and the immense problems of biological enquiry, especially those of the struggles fora livelihood and the wonderful modifications adapting the organism to such a competitive existence as holds nowhere so markedly as in the tropics. Prof. W. K. BROOKS, of the Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, has realised this in its full importance, and for the last ten years has endeavoured to obtain such for his students, before completing their course, taken as an addition to their University laboratory training, and to their experience of marine life in its temperate aspects, such as they may obtain at the Woods Hall Marine Laboratory, Mass., or at the one at Beaufort, N.C. For this object, Dr. BROOKS gives the preference to Jamaica, on account of the more typical and varied conditions of both its marine and terrestrial life. According to his experience, the Bahamas may be superior for a study of the fascinating life of the coral-reefs, but, for the requirements of a more general training, our colony is better adapted. In 1891, a party of fifteen students with their Professor, made a stay of over three months, fixing their head-quarters at Port Henderson, within a convenient distance of Kingston; and in that period visited and collected from most of the important spots in the island. Again, in 1893, a contingent, under DR. BIGELOW, carried out the same plan; and this year a party, consisting of Messrs. CONANT, CLARK, and SUDLER, is spending about three months, under the superintendence of Professor BROOKS.
These gentlemen at the desire of the Board of Governors of the Institute of Jamaica afforded, in the form of a special Members' Meeting, an opportunity to the members of the Institute of becoming acquainted with the special nature of the work now being carried out by them in the Marine Laboratory at Port Henderson. A full report of the meeting appears elsewhere in this morning's issue. It is of their influence upon the progress of biological work in the island, that we are now more particularly concerned. While the representatives of our land's fauna and flora are fairly well known — due to exertions of local naturalists such as HILL, ROBINSON, and VENDRYES; and the studies of others who have made longer or shorter stays, such as SLOANE, GOSSE, and NEWTON — with the exception of the fishes, very little has been done upon the forms of marine life. It is, therefore, very encouraging to find, that, while the studies of our visitors are mainly embryological and morphological — the results of which are of interest chiefly to specialists — an abundance of facts of local faunistic importance is being gathered and embodied in their Reports in the Johns Hopkins University Circulars. As a result of the collections of the '91 students we have a partial list of Decapod Crustaceans — crabs, lobsters — and one of the more common Echinoderms — star-fishes, sea-eggs, sea-cucumbers — as well as copious other notes concerning our fauna. In later issues of the circular there are many references to material and species found here, all of which will greatly assist in the future compilation of the Fauna of Jamaica.
The Institute of Jamaica, charged by Government with the advancement in the island of Science, as well as of Literature and Art, has not been slow in recognising the value to the Island of the work carried out by our American friends, and has always placed whatever advantages it possesses at their disposal. It is now endeavouring to make the relation even closer, by forming, as far as possible, complete named collections of its marine vertebrates and invertebrates, so that future students may find, in its Museum cases and cabinets, the material enabling them to identify the forms of life new in their experience, Prof. BROOKS, on the other hand, is pleased to afford every assistance in the naming of our specimens, and also in the deposit in our collections of duplicates of types collected by those under his charge. Considering the superior advantages of Jamaica as a Tropical Biological Station the Board of Governors of the Institute has long realized that it might be well if some scheme could be carried out, under its auspices, for holding Vacation Biological Sessions, open to naturalists from all parts of Europe and America desirous of gaining a tropical experience. This object, strongly supported by Dr. PLAXTON, Chairman of the Museum Committee, will be much progressed by the knowledge of our waters being gained by the pioneering work of the JOHNS HOPKINS students, and by the accumulation of the material and the necessary literature now being made in this direction by the Institute.
Daily Gleaner, August 19, 1897
JAMAICAN NATURAL HISTORY.
RESEARCHES AT THE JOHNS HOPKINS' MARINE LABORATORY AT PORT ANTONIO.
THIS year Prof. W. H. BROOKS' Baltimore students made Port Antonio, instead of Port Henderson, their headquarters for carrying on biological research on living tropical forms and for collecting material for College work during the coming session. The party, numbering a dozen, has been under the charge of J. E. HUMPHREY, Sc. D., Associate Professor of Botany at the Johns Hopkins University, and has been established for about nine weeks at the Titchfield Hotel of the Boston Fruit Company. Two large well-lighted rooms were metamorphosed into a laboratory, and afforded accommodation for eight tables. All the necessary apparatus and reagents were brought from the University Laboratory. From the shallow waters around the harbour collections have been made in most of the various groups of animals, while the land has also been scoured for representatives of our fauna and flora. It was not found possible to carry on much dredging. In the facilities for collecting and in the richness of forms met with the locality has been shown to surpass Port Henderson in many ways; though, owing to the continuous absence of a smooth sea about the margin of the coral-reefs, Port Antonio compares unfavourably for reef work with the conditions to be met with, for some hours each morning, at the Port Royal Cays near Port Henderson. The observations made and the material collected will, no doubt, form the basis of important contributions to natural history in the future and enrich the literature relating to our Jamaica luxuriant animal and vegetable life.
The following is a brief account of the work carried out by each member of the party.
Prof. J. E. HUMPHREY has studied and collected material in connection with the structure and development of plants of various groups, giving special attention to the shell-perforating algae or sea-weeds and to the embryology of certain groups of the flowering plants, particularly among the latter to those of the pepper and ginger families. He has also preserved important material of tropical plants for University ciass-work.
DR. F. S. CONANT visited Jamaica this year to continue investigations begun by him last summer upon the Cubo-medusae, a rare group of jelly-fish of which two species have been found in extraordinary abundance in Jamaican waters. One of these, which was obtained in a particular locality of Kingston Harbour last year, but which this year seems nowhere to be had, shows features of such novelty that it was found necessary to establish a new family for its reception. The chief object of investigation this season has been the function of the sensory organs of the jelly-fish, and material has been prepared with especial reference to a study of the changes, under the influence of light and darkness, in the pigment or colouring matter of the retina of the eyes. The specimens obtained last year afforded the necessary subject matter for a Thesis upon the Cubo-medusae presented to and accepted by the University last June for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy.
Dr. H. L. CLARK has been engaged in a continuation of the work which he also began last summer on the Echinoderius (star-fish, sea-eggs, sand-dollars, sea-cucumbers, etc.) of the island, giving especial attention to the Holothurians or "sea-cucumbers," forms of life which are very abundant around Jamaica. Over fifty species of the group of the Echinoderms have now been collected by him and other workers, some of which are possibly new to science. In addition to this general work attention has been particularly given this year to the study of the life-history of one of the small footless Holothurians, Chirodola, which is found in the sand under stones about the reefs. This species is remarkable because its eggs are not laid in the water, as is done by other Holothurians, but are developed in the body-cavity of the mother. Work on a similar viviparous Holothurian, Sgnapla, which was found abundantly at Port Royal last year, forms the basis of the thesis which he has just presented to the Board of University studies of the Johns Hopkins University for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy.
Mr. SUDLER, who was also a member of last year's party, has continued the collection of material exhibiting the metamorphosis, or changes during the life-history, of Lucifer, one of the small Crustacea which shows some very important developmental features. Specimens ware not to be had at Port Antonio, though towed for assiduously for several nights, so that it was found necessary to visit the old haunts at Port Henderson, where they were obtained in abundance.
Mr. GRAVE has been at work specially on the sea-stars or Ophirriana, and has collected twelve or more species, only five of which have been previously recorded from Jamaica. The eggs of one of the species were artificially fertilized in the laboratory and a complete series of the embryos, from the single cell to the fifteen-day Pluteus stage, has been preserved and will be further studied by him in the Johns Hopkins Biological Laboratory this winter. In addition to the above, Mr. GRAVE has collected material illustrating the life-history of the tree frog, Hyla, which lays its eggs in the Bromelias or wild pines.
Mr. E. N. BERGER has devoted his time mostly to the Insects, Arachnids (spiders, scorpions, etc.), and Myriapods (centipedes and mlllipodes), paying special attention to the Pseudoscorpions. An abundance of embryological material of the latter was collected, the species probably belonging to the genus Obisium. The genus and species will be determined on return to Baltimore and it is hoped that the material collected will serve as the basis for the preparation of a thesis.
The Pseudoscorpions are small animals, the largest collected not measuring over three-sixteenths of an inch in length. A few specimens of a second species of pseudoscorpion, smaller and more active than the first mentioned, were collected. One interesting point determined is the building of a small nest from fragments of rotten wood, the nest being evidently lined with a fine silk by the animal when about to shed its skin. The embryo lies as if dead in this little nest, and after a time emerges with its appendages of a very pale green, which later turns to the normal brown. Little is known of the development of the pseudoscorpions and it is expected that the material collected will aid in throwing some light on the group.
Mr. A. FREDHOLM, of the Smithsonian Institution, has been engaged in systematic botanical work, collecting specimens for the United States National Herbarium of the Smithsonian Institution, Washington. With the exception of an excursion to the Cuna-Cuna Pass, the work has been confined to the immediate vicinity of Port Antonio Between three and four hundred plants have been collected, which number includes many highly interesting species, especially from among the Filices or ferns.
Mr. WILSON, a late student of the Johns Hopkins University, has collected a large quantity of material of both animals and plants for lecture illustrations, and has also preserved material for original research on Hippa — a genus of Decapod Crustacea—and also on our various land slugs.
The several junior students busied themselves mostly in gaining a general knowledge and collection of the different representations of tropical land and marine life.
The Curator of the Jamaica Institute Museum was kindly allowed all the facilities of the laboratory and permitted to occupy a table for a period of three weeks. Besides collecting objects specially for exhibition in the Museum, Mr. DUERDEN devoted himself to the Actiniaria in furtherance of the work already carried out on the south side of this island. A new species of Bunodeopaia was discovered, several previously obscure species were recovered, and a supply of embryological material preserved for further research.
JAMAICAN NATURAL HISTORY.
RESEARCHES AT THE JOHNS HOPKINS' MARINE LABORATORY AT PORT ANTONIO.
THIS year Prof. W. H. BROOKS' Baltimore students made Port Antonio, instead of Port Henderson, their headquarters for carrying on biological research on living tropical forms and for collecting material for College work during the coming session. The party, numbering a dozen, has been under the charge of J. E. HUMPHREY, Sc. D., Associate Professor of Botany at the Johns Hopkins University, and has been established for about nine weeks at the Titchfield Hotel of the Boston Fruit Company. Two large well-lighted rooms were metamorphosed into a laboratory, and afforded accommodation for eight tables. All the necessary apparatus and reagents were brought from the University Laboratory. From the shallow waters around the harbour collections have been made in most of the various groups of animals, while the land has also been scoured for representatives of our fauna and flora. It was not found possible to carry on much dredging. In the facilities for collecting and in the richness of forms met with the locality has been shown to surpass Port Henderson in many ways; though, owing to the continuous absence of a smooth sea about the margin of the coral-reefs, Port Antonio compares unfavourably for reef work with the conditions to be met with, for some hours each morning, at the Port Royal Cays near Port Henderson. The observations made and the material collected will, no doubt, form the basis of important contributions to natural history in the future and enrich the literature relating to our Jamaica luxuriant animal and vegetable life.
The following is a brief account of the work carried out by each member of the party.
Prof. J. E. HUMPHREY has studied and collected material in connection with the structure and development of plants of various groups, giving special attention to the shell-perforating algae or sea-weeds and to the embryology of certain groups of the flowering plants, particularly among the latter to those of the pepper and ginger families. He has also preserved important material of tropical plants for University ciass-work.
DR. F. S. CONANT visited Jamaica this year to continue investigations begun by him last summer upon the Cubo-medusae, a rare group of jelly-fish of which two species have been found in extraordinary abundance in Jamaican waters. One of these, which was obtained in a particular locality of Kingston Harbour last year, but which this year seems nowhere to be had, shows features of such novelty that it was found necessary to establish a new family for its reception. The chief object of investigation this season has been the function of the sensory organs of the jelly-fish, and material has been prepared with especial reference to a study of the changes, under the influence of light and darkness, in the pigment or colouring matter of the retina of the eyes. The specimens obtained last year afforded the necessary subject matter for a Thesis upon the Cubo-medusae presented to and accepted by the University last June for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy.
Dr. H. L. CLARK has been engaged in a continuation of the work which he also began last summer on the Echinoderius (star-fish, sea-eggs, sand-dollars, sea-cucumbers, etc.) of the island, giving especial attention to the Holothurians or "sea-cucumbers," forms of life which are very abundant around Jamaica. Over fifty species of the group of the Echinoderms have now been collected by him and other workers, some of which are possibly new to science. In addition to this general work attention has been particularly given this year to the study of the life-history of one of the small footless Holothurians, Chirodola, which is found in the sand under stones about the reefs. This species is remarkable because its eggs are not laid in the water, as is done by other Holothurians, but are developed in the body-cavity of the mother. Work on a similar viviparous Holothurian, Sgnapla, which was found abundantly at Port Royal last year, forms the basis of the thesis which he has just presented to the Board of University studies of the Johns Hopkins University for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy.
Mr. SUDLER, who was also a member of last year's party, has continued the collection of material exhibiting the metamorphosis, or changes during the life-history, of Lucifer, one of the small Crustacea which shows some very important developmental features. Specimens ware not to be had at Port Antonio, though towed for assiduously for several nights, so that it was found necessary to visit the old haunts at Port Henderson, where they were obtained in abundance.
Mr. GRAVE has been at work specially on the sea-stars or Ophirriana, and has collected twelve or more species, only five of which have been previously recorded from Jamaica. The eggs of one of the species were artificially fertilized in the laboratory and a complete series of the embryos, from the single cell to the fifteen-day Pluteus stage, has been preserved and will be further studied by him in the Johns Hopkins Biological Laboratory this winter. In addition to the above, Mr. GRAVE has collected material illustrating the life-history of the tree frog, Hyla, which lays its eggs in the Bromelias or wild pines.
Mr. E. N. BERGER has devoted his time mostly to the Insects, Arachnids (spiders, scorpions, etc.), and Myriapods (centipedes and mlllipodes), paying special attention to the Pseudoscorpions. An abundance of embryological material of the latter was collected, the species probably belonging to the genus Obisium. The genus and species will be determined on return to Baltimore and it is hoped that the material collected will serve as the basis for the preparation of a thesis.
The Pseudoscorpions are small animals, the largest collected not measuring over three-sixteenths of an inch in length. A few specimens of a second species of pseudoscorpion, smaller and more active than the first mentioned, were collected. One interesting point determined is the building of a small nest from fragments of rotten wood, the nest being evidently lined with a fine silk by the animal when about to shed its skin. The embryo lies as if dead in this little nest, and after a time emerges with its appendages of a very pale green, which later turns to the normal brown. Little is known of the development of the pseudoscorpions and it is expected that the material collected will aid in throwing some light on the group.
Mr. A. FREDHOLM, of the Smithsonian Institution, has been engaged in systematic botanical work, collecting specimens for the United States National Herbarium of the Smithsonian Institution, Washington. With the exception of an excursion to the Cuna-Cuna Pass, the work has been confined to the immediate vicinity of Port Antonio Between three and four hundred plants have been collected, which number includes many highly interesting species, especially from among the Filices or ferns.
Mr. WILSON, a late student of the Johns Hopkins University, has collected a large quantity of material of both animals and plants for lecture illustrations, and has also preserved material for original research on Hippa — a genus of Decapod Crustacea—and also on our various land slugs.
The several junior students busied themselves mostly in gaining a general knowledge and collection of the different representations of tropical land and marine life.
The Curator of the Jamaica Institute Museum was kindly allowed all the facilities of the laboratory and permitted to occupy a table for a period of three weeks. Besides collecting objects specially for exhibition in the Museum, Mr. DUERDEN devoted himself to the Actiniaria in furtherance of the work already carried out on the south side of this island. A new species of Bunodeopaia was discovered, several previously obscure species were recovered, and a supply of embryological material preserved for further research.
The scientists from Johns Hopkins did not return to Jamaica for more than a decade, after the sad events of 1897. Brief notes in the Gleaner indicated that they
were coming back in the summer of 1910, but so far no accounts of their activities then have been found.
were coming back in the summer of 1910, but so far no accounts of their activities then have been found.
Daily Gleaner, April 22, 1910
EXPEDITION COMING ANIMAL LIFE OF JAMAICA. Baltimore, April 14—-The Johns Hopkins University will send an expedition to Jamaica this summer to study the animal and vegetable life of the island: The botanists, under Dr Johnson will leave on May 15 and will go direct to Montego Bay, in the northwestern part of the island. The zoologists, under Dr. E. A. Andrews, will not leave until a few weeks later. Besides Drs. Andrews, Cowles and Graves, Messrs. Giveler, Middleton and Wilson will accompany the expedition. Dr. Caswell Grave, who is chairman of the State Shellfish Commission, will devote his time to the study of starfish and other echinoderms. Dr. Cowles will do research work on termites, or white ants, Mr. Wilson, who is perhaps the greatest living authority on fish lice, will study fish parasites in Jamaican waters. No zoologists have ever visited the island before, and since the tropical life is very abundant, the investigators are expected to make many discoveries. On the way down a trailer will be used and the microscopic forms investigated. |
Daily Gleaner, May 26, 1910
JAMAICA FLORA Coming of an Expedition From Baltimore WILL REMAIN HERE TILL JULY Zoological Party Also to Come Here Next Month Baltimore, May 11. — With a full equipment for the study of the flora of the tropics as exemplified in Jamaica, the first section of the Johns Hopkins biological expedition left this morning on the United Fruit Company's steamer Barnstable. The party is in charge of Dr. Duncan S. Johnson and is composed of A. P. Derickson, head of the department of biology in Lebanon Valley College and formerly a student at Johns Hopkins; H. H. York, W. H. Brown, A. R. Middleton and L. W. Sharp. The expedition proposes to stay on the island till July, and has taken along all the necessaries for so long a stay and the equipment for the establishment of a complete botanical laboratory. Their headquarters will be in the province of the island known as Cinchona, near the summit of Blue Mountain. Most of the time will be spent in original research work with special attention to the discovery of the family relations and ancestral trees of the plants under investigation. Materials will be brought back for future study at the university. On June 8 the Zoological section of the biological department of the University will sail for Montego Bay, where a marine laboratory will be established. This party will consist of Professor E. A. Andrews, Associate Professors Graves and Cowles and Messrs Wilson, Silver, Lund and Giveler. |