156 BRYANT — DEIFT CASKS IN THE ARCTIC OCEAN. [Aprils, 



is more affected by under currents, they will probably be carried on 

 a more correct drift. A reinforced bung-hole with bung was pro- 

 vided, and through this the message bottle was inserted 



This latter consisted of a narrow cylindrical tube made of flint 

 glass, and technically known as an 'ignition tube,' accompanying 

 which were suitable corks and sealing wax. As an additional pre- 

 caution, these tubes were in turn enclosed in cases made of maple 

 wood provided with screw tops. 



'' The message paper enclosed in this way was printed on linoleum 

 paper by a permanent blue-print process, which renders it practi- 

 cally impervious to salt water. The enclosed message was printed 

 in the English, Norwegian, German and French languages, and 

 embodied the following particulars : 



"(<:?) Space for name of vessel and master assisting in distribution, 

 date, number of cask, and latitude and longitude of point where 

 it was set adrift. 



^\b) Directions as to filling in record and sealing up tube. 



^'{c) Blank space for insertion of name of finder, date and locality 

 where cask was picked up. 



^'{d) Clause requesting finder to forward message paper to the 

 nearest United States Consul at his home port, or to send it direct 

 to the Geographical Society of Philadelphia. 



*' Accompanying each consignment of casks was a set of printed 

 instructions to masters of vessels engaged in their distribution." 



In the important and hazardous work of distributing the fifty 

 casks provided for the experiment, the promoters of the enterprise 

 have received the assistance of the U. S. Revenue Cutter Bear, 

 which makes yearly trips to Point Barrow, Alaska, in the interests 

 of the American whalemen. We have also profited by the cooper- 

 ation of the Pacific Steam Whaling Co. and of Messrs. Liebes & 

 Co., of San Francisco, both of whose vessels have assisted in placing 

 the casks adrift in the far North. The reports of the accomplish- 

 ment of this preliminary work have come in rather slowly owing to 

 the length of the whaling voyages and other causes. Thus the 

 first consignment of casks was shipped from San Francisco as early 

 as March, 1899, ^^^ ^^^^ others as soon after as opportunity offered ; 

 and yet, of the thirty-five casks whose distribution has thus far 

 been reported, intelligence of the last distribution arrived here no 

 later than December 11 of last year. 



Thus only within the last few months has it been possible to 

 report definitely in regard to the launching of the greater number 



