CHAP. 1.] THE EQUIPMENT OF THE SHIP. 79 
would result from equipping an expedition for the examination of the 
physical conditions of the deep sea throughout all the great oceanic 
basins, and for other special objects therein named, 
“1. Tam commanded by my Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty 
to acquaint you, for the information of the President and Council, that 
they have had the subject under their consideration, and have decided 
to fit out one of Her Majesty’s ships to leave England on a voyage of 
circumnavigation toward the close of the present year, in prosecution 
of the objects specified in your letter. 
“2. I am further desired to inform you that their lordships will be 
prepared to receive from the President and Council of the Royal So- 
ciety any suggestions that they may desire to make on the scientific 
equipment of the vessel, the composition of the civilian scientific staff, 
or any other scientific matter connected with the expedition upon which 
that body may desire to offer their opinion. I am, sir, your obedient 
servant, Tuos. WoLLEY. 
“The Secretary to the Royal Society.” 
Resolved, That the letter from the Admiralty be referred for consid- 
eration and for report to the Council, to a Committee consisting 
of the President and Officers, Dr. Carpenter, Dr. Frankland, Dr. 
Hooker, Professor Huxley, the Hydrographer of the Admiralty, 
Mr. Gwyn Jeffreys, Mr. Siemens, Sir William Thomson, Dr. Wy- 
ville Thomson, Dr. Williamson, and Mr. Alfred R. Wallace, with 
power to add to their number. 
June 20th, 1872. 
In reference to the arrangements to be made for the cireumnaviga- 
tory expedition, for which H.M.S. Challenger has now been put in com- 
mission, the Committee presented the following Report to the Council, 
Viz. : 
“The Committee suggest that the President and Council should di- 
rect a letter to be written to the Secretary of the Admiralty to the fol- 
lowing effect: ‘That it appears desirable that the scientific gentlemen 
who are to accompany the Challenger expedition should be selected at 
an early date and their salaries decided on, in order that they may be 
enabled to make the necessary arrangements for an extended absence 
from England. 
“The President and Council of the Royal Society therefore recom- 
mend as a fit and proper person, to superintend and be at the head of 
