1871. ] Proceedings of the Asiatic Society. 291 
lowed by another traverse from near Madras to the Andamans or the 
Nicobars, and again by a line from Ceylon to the coast of Sumatra. 
It would be necessary that, say three persons acquainted with the 
mode of enquiry should accompany each expedition, and it is hoped 
that sufficient accommodation could readily be found for them on 
board. 
It is unnecessary to point out, that very vast acquisitions to 
our knowledge of the depths, currents, character of bottom, &c., 
of that part of the Indian Ocean and of the Bay of Bengal would 
result from these traverses, quite independently of the additions to 
our knowledge of the life, inhabiting these as yet entirely un- 
searched seas. 
Your Sub-Committee, however, do not wish to insist on the 
adoption of this ground in the first instance. No course can be 
taken which will not yield a rich harvest of novelties and additions, 
and they would suggest that the convenience of the vessels on the 
station, should be one of the first considerations, as well as the 
climatal periods of Monsoon, &c., &e. 
With regard to the appliances necessary for Deep Sea Dredging, 
the Sub-Committee beg to enumerate the following— 
1, Three dredges of various sizes and an adequate supply of 
strong Manilla rope, which will probably be best obtained through 
the Admiralty. For heaving up the dredge, the vessel charged with 
the conduct of the expedition, should be provided with a donkey-en- 
gine, and might be otherwise so fitted as to render it adapted for the 
duty : the latest experiences in Deep Sea Dredging at home, have 
shewn that a donble-cylinder donkey-engine proved to be the most 
efficient contrivance for hauling-in. 
2. Sounding leads. 
3. At least adozen of Siemann’s differential thermometers ; or 
Prof. Miller’s new Thermometer for Deep Sea Dredgings; these 
may be obtained from the Meteorological Department at home. 
4. Water bottles. 
5. In order to determine the nature and proportion of the dis- 
solved gases, contained in sea water from various depths, an opera- 
tion which must be performed at once on ship-board—3 glass 
hydrometers and 2 of Prof. Miller’s apparatus for the Analysis of 
gases will be necessary. 
