Entire Scientific Commission lands. 287 



On 20th November, about 6 a.m., the oflScers and naturalists, 

 together with a portion of the crew, 32 in all, left the frigate 

 with a large quantity of instruments, scientific apparatus, and 

 baggage. This little expedition was supplied with provisions 

 and water for six days, there being no springs of fresh water 

 on the island, the frequenters of which are compelled to 

 depend for their whole supply of drinking-water, partly on the 

 rain-fall, partly during long-continued dry seasons on the 

 water of one of the hot brackish springs which occur on the 

 north side of the lower circuit of the crater. Lonsr accus- 

 tomed to these fluids and to their peculiar taste, the inhabit- 

 ants feel no evil results from their employment, which very 

 probably would not be the case with those persons who visit the 

 island for the first time, and whose arduous exertions 

 necessitate their drinking daily large quantities of water. 



On a small eminence, about 150 feet high, above the fisher- 

 man's huts on the north side of the crater-basin, a small 

 wooden cottage was erected for the protection of the astro- 

 nomers ; and at a distance of about 40 feet, a second for the 

 magnetic instruments, both of which, with their contents, were 

 entrusted to Lieutenant Robert Miiller. Lieutenants Batlogg 

 and Eugen Kronowetter, were respectively entrusted with the 

 observations by theodolite, and with the surveying board. To 

 the last-mentioned gentleman were also confided the observa- 

 tions with the meteorological instruments, the researches with 

 the tide-guage, the instruments for measuring the velocity 

 of currents, as also the soundings in the basin, and on either 



