88 Daniel and Mary Merriman 



Neither of these two contributions can compare as regards interest and number of specimens 

 with the series obtained during the cruise of the " Knight-errant " ; and it would seem as if now 

 only the rich spoil which I ventured to indicate in 1 867 as resulting from an exploration of the 

 Deep Sea round the British Islands, were being gathered. Six out of the ten species obtained^ 

 are new to the British Fauna ; and of course represent but a small fraction of the actual number 

 of Brit, deep-sea fishes. Much, therefore, remains to be done. The laws which govern the 

 bathymetrical distribution of Fishes, are still obscure ; and it is evident that a series of continued 

 methodical observations, such as can be made in a limited oceanic district like that round the 

 Brit. Islds., whose hydrographic conditions with its surface and coast fauna are so well known, 

 is most likely to reveal a chain of facts which cannot be recognized in disjointed observations made 

 at distant localities. Besides, there are not a few obscure points in the life-history of our food- 

 fishes which may be well expected to be cleared up by the deep-sea-dredge, such as the unaccount- 

 able disappearance from certain parts of the coast of fishes like the Haddock, the change of 

 habitat of many fishes according to the season, a change which evidently much more frequently 

 takes place in a vertical than horizontal direction, etc. It is therefore to be hoped that the 

 present successful expedition will be followed by equally well conducted efforts. 



The collection submitted to my examination contains a much greater proportion of arctic 

 forms, than of southern; and in this respect differs entirely from that made by Mr. Gwynn" 

 Jeffreys at a less depth. The only southern form is Haloporphynus lepidion which we knew 

 previously from the Mediterranean and Japan. Singularly, again, no trace of a Trachypterus 

 or Regalecus was obtained; and we can account for their absence only by the supposition 

 that it is difficult to enclose these long snake-like fishes in the dredge, and that young specimens 

 from their extreme delicacy of structure are probably torn into fragments or lost long before the 

 net reaches the surface. Some of the species have been previously obtained by the Scandinavian 

 Expeditions in similar latitudes. As all the species will be fully referred to or described in my 

 Report on the *' Challenger " Deep-sea-fishes, only a few notes on them are appended here. 



Bonsyde 

 Linlithgow, N.B. 

 Oct. 26, 1880 

 Dear Dr. Giinther: 



I had written you a note just the post before I got yrs. I am very much obliged to you for the 

 report and greatly pleased that the fishes have interested you so much. I have been long looking 

 forward to a careful overhaul of the Faroe Channel, and I have every hope that we may have 

 another investigation this next summer under more favourable conditions. 



So far as this years work is concerned I am at liberty to ask you to make what use you choose 

 of the duplicity which I have much pleasure in doing ( ?) — only send me back what you can spare 



Yrs faithfully, 



C. Wyville Thomson 



Nov. \st (?) — no address 

 Dear Dr. Giinther: 



I have just received a list signed by you from Mr. Moseley. You will exercise your own 

 discretion in selecting the Brit : Mus : set. Of course my prime object is to make that as complete 

 as possible, but, that done, it would be a convenience for (me) to have as many species here for 

 comparison as I can get. 



I have a note from Dr. Sclater that he has handed over or is about to do so, the birds. I 

 suppose you will send me a list. I expect to send off the Pennatulida the end of the week. 



For some whale bones and seal bones you will have to wait till the part on the bottom deposit 



is finished. I am anxiously looking for the deep-sea fishes. 



This is a most laborious job ! 



Yours faithfully 



C. Wyville Thomson 



