322 ANNUAL RECORD OF SCIENCE AND INDUSTRY. 



among them is Dr. Cappiriger, R.N., surgeon of the Discov- 

 ery during the late Arctic expedition, and whose scientific 

 attainments are of a high order. The Alert will first proceed 

 to the Strait of Magellan, where the triangulation from Cape 

 Froward to Cape Pillar and the survey of channels to the 

 northward will be completed, the survey by Captain Mayne, 

 R.N., in 1867 and 1868 only extending from Cape Virgins, at 

 the Atlantic entrance, to Port Famine. The heavy weather 

 generally prevailing at the western entrance of the Strait 

 makes the use of the channels leading inshore to the Gulf of 

 Penas very desirable; bnt disastrous shipwrecks having taken 

 place in consequence of sunken rocks and other hidden dan- 

 gers, the Alert has been directed to explore the channels sup- 

 posed to exist between some of the islands of the Archipelago, 

 in order to afford a sheltered route for the numerous steam- 

 ers running between the west coast of South America and 

 Europe. The work in and about this region is expected to 

 occupy from one to two years. Sir George Nares will then 

 proceed to examine and fix the position of numerous alleged 

 and doubtful dangers in the vicinity of the Society group. 

 Some remarkable changes in the depth of the ocean, caused 

 by volcanic action, in the vicinity of the Friendly Islands 

 will then receive attention, as well as a ridge with less than 

 twenty fathoms lying in an east and west direction north of 

 the Fijis. After this, D'Entrecasteaux reef, northwest of 

 New Caledonia, will be surveyed, and several reported dan- 

 gers between New Zealand and the Fijis will be investi- 

 gated. Soundings on the southwestern coast of Australia 

 will complete the work, after which the expedition, which is 

 expected to be absent for three years, will return to England 

 throusch the Suez Canal. 



The Marine Survey of British India has been vigorously 

 pressed during the last year. The published report has an 

 interesting index-map showing the progress already made in 

 surveys of the coasts and harbors. Besides a large number 

 of photo-zincographed charts of anchorages and portions of 

 the coasts, three general charts are in preparation of the 

 whole coast of India and the western side of the Malay Pen- 

 insula. A systematic record of tidal observations has been 

 established by the Indian authorities, from which important 

 results are anticipated. 



