350 THE GERMAN ARCTIC EXPEDITION. 



over and over again, Could there be no investigation of 

 tlie fauna of the seas, which, unfortunately, during the 

 voyage had to remain in abeyance ? Could not some- 

 thing be done now ? 



On the 11th of October, from the cutting of the ice- 

 blocks, there was left a channel, and from it, with the 

 help of the dredging-net, we brought up different 

 Crustacea, particularly amphipoda, and several species of 

 worms. But it was difficult to classify them, as the cold 

 in the evening was over 2.5° Fahr., so that the contents 

 of the net froze rapidly. 



As, on the 25th of October, Captain Koldewey went far 

 to the east across the ice to take soundings, ho saw that 

 several small, fresh cracks had taken place. This seemed 

 a favourable opportunity for dredging, promising the 

 greater success, as the depth of the water was here 

 twenty-five to twenty-eight fathoms. On two of the 

 following days this was carried out ; a sledge was laden 

 with the necessary articles, and about ten o'clock Dr. 

 Pansch and two men set to work; as soon as the thin ice 

 was removed, forming a fresh gap, two holes, at appropriate 

 distances from it, were made large enough to let down 

 the net and pull it up again. When it reached the 

 ground, the strong rope was drawn in the whole length 

 of the gap to the other hole, then, running over a smooth 

 stick, was held at the end by four strong hands, and 

 slowly in the direction of the gap drawn further on until 

 the net appeared at the hole, when it was taken out and 

 emptied on to the sledge. Besides different kinds of 

 cockles and shell-fish, crabs and worms, there were a 

 great number of sea-urchins {Toxopneuster neglectus), and 

 several long-armed ophiuri. 



