INTRODUCTION. 1 1 



along the channel between N. and S. Male atolls, obtaining finally a depth of lOOo fathoms, 

 two miles S.W. I W. of the S. point of the reef of Hululc faro. That night we anchored 

 off Male and, after taking our collections on board, bade good-bye to the Maldives on 

 April 25, 1900. 



The collections may be allowed to speak for themselves in the subsequent parts of 

 this publication. A word is necessary as to the dredgings, of which 273 were recorded in 

 the Maldives. They were intended to ascertain the character of the bottom within the 

 atolls as well as its fauna in every position, in which the physical conditions might vary. 

 Naturally a considerable number were under the.se circumstances absolutely barren, but all 

 served their purpose. Seven dredges were used, both rectangular and triangular, of Naples 

 or Plymouth models, as well as an otter and three beam trawls of 3, 4^ and 6 feet. 

 The latter were made to my own design, an adaptation of Prof Agassiz' model ; they were 

 for trawling from the steamer weighted with fire-bars ; their nets were of coconut fibre 

 (sinnet or coir), and were made by my boys. Swabs of hempen rope, three feet long, were 

 found best adapted to our work ; they were always thrown overboard, when we were at 

 anchor, about one fathom of rope being allowed beyond the depth, if the bottom was 

 fairly level. For sovinding from the schooner and small boats, besides regular lead lines, 

 we used loosely spun cod-fishing line, as recommended by Mr J. Y. Buchanan. On the 

 steamer we had an old Lucas deep-sea machine, which was lent us by the Admiralty, 

 Mr Lucas kindly providing about 3000 fathoms of wire. Of leads we employed the Tele- 

 graphic Construction and Maintenance Company's snapper, and valved leads of the Admiralty 

 pattern. Other apparatus and instruments will be referred to where necessary in the account 

 of the work of the expedition. 



J. STANLEY GARDINER'. 



[Note. The collections of plants have been presented to the Royal Botanical Gardens, 

 Peredeniya, Ceylon. A full report on them will be shortly published in the "Journal of 

 the Gardens" by Mr J. C. Willis, the Director. J. S. G.] 



' This account has been checked by Mr L. A. Borradaile and Mr Forster Cooper. 



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