Research Inc., and by the weekend you can get in on the secret.

Saturday will mark the official opening of a smart new gift shop in the lobby of Hanson Hall, whose inventory is largely unique.

Perfectly timed to appeal to Christmas shoppers, the wide array of merchandise will include such diverse products as cushions, toys, postcards and golf shirts -- all with a marine theme.

Everything has been personally selected by Bermudian Miss Judith Wadson, the Station's public relations spokesperson, who has considerable experience in retailing, marketing and public relations, both locally and in New York.

"Shoppers will find items here they won't find anywhere else in Bermuda,'' Miss Wadson assured. "I have deliberately searched for merchandise that is different to everyone else's.'' Indeed, some items have even been hand crafted especially for the shop. Even a quick glance at the inventory reveals that there is much to appeal to all ages.

For children there are such things as cleverly designed paint boxes in the shape of reef fish, aquatic stamps with non-toxic ink pads, and whimsical magnetised clips cleverly decorated with colourful sea creatures. Shark shaped cases with zippered mouths are designed to hold a good supply of pens, pencils and crayons, while "bendy'' pens have life-life sharks perched on top.

Clear, bouncy balls have a fish embedded in a glittery "sea'' complete with bubbles. Another ball is designed so that, no matter which way it is rolled, the fish within stays on top.

Wands filled with glittery liquid allow a line of brightly coloured fish to swim slowly back and forth when it is tilted.

Bath toys for tiny tots include little fish which, when squeezed, squirt bathwater.

Perfect for children's parties are the handmade fish pinatas, which are designed to be filled with candies, coins and other treats and then suspended from a cord. Blindfolded children then take turns to hit the pinata with a stick until it breaks open spilling the goodies for all to enjoy.

The wide range of golf, sweat and T-shirts is exclusive to the Station. Some designs feature the Station's logo, while one features rows of swimming killifish.

"The killifish, which is found only in Lover's Lake, is Bermuda's only endemic fresh water fish and was discovered a few years ago by Station scientists,'' Miss Wadson explained. "The shirt design was devised by a visiting student.'' Correspondents will find much to attract their pens. Boxed notelets featuring pen and ink drawings by Christiane Sterrer from the field guide book, `Marine Fauna and Floria of Bermuda', authored by Dr. Wolfgang Sterrer, are exclusive to the gift shop -- as are boxed notelets produced by the Bermuda Library featuring drawings taken from the album, `Fishes of Bermuda', by Lady Lefroy in the late 1800s.

A striking watercolour of the Biological Station from the Ferry Reach perspective, by Amy and Vaughn Evans, is reproduced as a frameable print and also as stationery.

Colourful photographs of fish are cut to shape for use as cards, while miniature versions are for gifts.

Items to enhance the home include shaped, brightly coloured cushions of various fish; heart-shaped and round wreaths of wicker or grape vine embellished with sea shells; hearth brooms decorated with eucalyptus and paper bows, and handmade napkin holders with brightly coloured fabric fish.

Perfect for the festive season are luminaries -- paper bags with cut-out Christmas motifs, designed to mark path and driveways when candles are stuck in sand.

Stocking stuffers include key chains with flashlights or snorkelling gear, miniature fish erasers, packs of collectible sea creature stickers, and wind-up fish whose tails wiggle.

Station librarian, Mrs. Fran Chatterjee, is responsible for selecting the many books available, including `Wonders of the Deep', written and photographed by local divers, `Underwater Bermuda -- a guide to the ecology of shoreline and shallow water marine communities' -- published by the Biological Station, and `Diving Bermuda'. A 1993 calendar features stunning colour photographs of undersea life.

For those with a sweet tooth, a handmade confection made exclusively for the gift shop consists of varieties of nuts in an intriguing spicy sugar coating.

And this is just a sampling! Prices are reasonable, and all profits will go towards the Station's education and research funds.

Obviously delighted with the new gift shop, Miss Wadson said it had come about in response to public demand.

"Before we opened this, the shop operated, quite literally, out of a closet, and that started through the demand for souvenir shirts. We found that, in addition to visiting scientists and Elderhostel groups, we were getting increasing numbers of visitors looking for things to buy, so we saw a need to expand.'' Since the shop will be manned by volunteers, its hours and days of operation will be limited until such time as more volunteers can be found.

"The shop will open on Mondays and Fridays from noon to 1 p.m., and on Wednesdays from 10.30 a.m. to 1 p.m. For the Christmas period, we will open on Saturdays from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.

"Saturday's grand opening will be from noon to 6 p.m. and we urge everyone to come on down and do their Christmas shopping. There will be free giveaways with purchases.'' Including in the opening festivities will be free tours of the Station at 1 p.m. and 2.30 p.m.

Anyone wishing to volunteer time to help in the gift shop should call Miss Wadson at 297-1880.

"It would be a nice job for anyone with time to spare, including retirees,'' she suggested.

PILLOW TALK -- Miss Judith Wadson (left) and Mrs. Fran Chatterjee show off some of the brightly coloured fish cushions and paper pinatas which will be sold in the Bermuda Biological Station's new gift shop.