82 THE ATLANTIC. [ CHAP. 1. 
may possibly be met with in the region to the south-east of the Cape of 
Good Hope. Probably investigations in these latitudes may be difficult; 
it must be remembered, however, that the marine fauna of these regions 
is nearly unknown, that it must bear a most interesting relation to the 
fauna of high northern latitudes, that the region is inaccessible except 
under such circumstances as the present, and that every addition to our 
knowledge of it will be of value. For the same reasons the expedition 
should, if possible, touch at the Aukland, Campbell, and especially the 
Macquarie Islands. Particular attention should be paid to the zoology 
of the sea between New Zealand, Sydney, New Caledonia, and the Fiji 
and Friendly Islands, as it is probable that the Antarctic fauna may be 
found there at accessible depths. New Britain and New Ireland are al- 
most unknown, and from their geographical position a special interest 
attaches to their zoology, botany, and ethnology. The route through 
this part of the Pacific will give an opportunity of checking and repeat- 
ing previous observations on the structure of coral-reefs and the growth 
of coral, and of collecting series of volcanic rocks. The Japan current 
will also be studied, and the current along the coast of California. The 
course from Japan to Vancouver Island, and thence to Valparaiso, will 
afford an opportunity of determining the physical geography and the 
distribution of life in these regions, of which at present nothing is 
known. 
J. Puysicat OBSERVATIONS. 
In crossing the great ocean-basins, observations should be made at 
stations the positions of which are carefully determined, chosen so far 
as possible at equal distances, the length of the intervals being of course 
dependent on circumstances. At each station should be noted the time 
of the different observations, the state of the weather, the temperature 
of the surface of the sea, the depth, the bottom temperature determined 
by the mean of two Miller-Casella thermometers, the specific gravity of 
the surface and bottom water. The nature of the bottom should be de- 
termined by the use of a sounding-instrument constructed to bring up 
samples of the bottom, and also, if possible, by a haul of the dredge. 
When practicable, the amount and nature of the gases contained in the 
water, and the amount and nature of the salts and organic matter, should 
be ascertained. As frequently as possible, especially in the path of cur- 
rents, serial temperature-soundings ought to be taken either with the in- 
strument of Mr. Siemens or with the Miller-Casella thermometer, and in 
