IIO REPORTS ON INVESTIGATION'S AND PROJECTS. 



Upon arriving at Miami an inspection of the yacht showed that 

 the copper bottom had caused serious corrosion of the iron parts 

 of the rudder and centerboard, and these essential parts were re- 

 placed by a rudder stock, port, and shoe, and centerboard pin of 

 brass. It was deemed unnecessary to replace the heavy steel-wire 

 centerboard pennant, but this fancied security proved a delusion, for 

 it broke off Key West, and the yacht, drawing 18 feet instead of 5, 

 had to be brought back to harbor in the face of a storm. Hauling out 

 and a day's work, however, repaired the damage in a way to prevent 

 the possible recurrence of such an accident. The yacht was thor- 

 oughly overhauled and painted while at Miami. 



A 22-foot 4-horsepower Swampscott dory, capable of making 9 

 knots speed, was purchased during the year, and proved to be very 

 useful. It enabled us to make daily surface hauls and dredgings 

 in the vicinity of the Tortugas under peculiarly advantageous con- 

 ditions. Several hundred miles of surface tows were carried out by 

 this vessel alone. The Physalia proved invaluable in going out 

 into the Gulf Stream, for dredging in considerable depths, for in- 

 termediate towing in the open sea, and for long cruises. 



During the year the laboratory buildings on Loggerhead Key, 

 Tortugas, have been thoroughly equipped, so that at present they 

 afford advantages for research in marine zoology unequaled any- 

 where else in the tropical world. 



A dock was run out 80 feet from the beach, giving a draft of over 

 5 feet at low tide, and thus permitting the Physalia to approach it 

 at any time. The timbers of this dock were especially braced to 

 resist a possible hurricane, and the wooden piles covered with cop- 

 per sheathing to withstand the attacks of the teredo. Connected 

 with the dock, and on its southern side, a kitchen was constructed, 

 having 16 by 16 feet floor space, and elevated 8 feet above high 

 tide upon wooden piles. The advantages of such a kitchen in the 

 tropics are obvious from the ease with which it may be maintained 

 in a cleanly condition, and it was noticeable that flies, roaches, and 

 other pests characteristic of hot countries, were absent. All refuse 

 from the kitchen was daily towed out to sea and disposed of. 



For similar reasons modern plumbing was introduced, thus ob- 

 viating the possibility of the introduction of typhoid fever, etc. 

 Hygienic precautions are absolutely necessary if northern men, unac- 

 customed to a hot, moist climate, are to maintain good health while 

 engaged in the confining and arduous labor of investigation. It is 

 gratifying to be able to state that no zymotic diseases were contracted 



