Narrative of Bahama Expedition. 7 



expedition, and for a time it looked as if the scheme was goin^^ 

 to pieces. Mr. WilHam Powell ultimately filled Professor 

 Weld's place, so far as seeing to the dredging equipment was 

 concerned. A commissary committee was appointed, with 

 instructor G. L. Houser as chairman, whose dut}' it was to 

 attend to the provisioning of the expedition, and later he had 

 charge of the equipment for laborator\- work. This equipment 

 consisted essentialh' of twelve dissecting microscopes and ten 

 compound microscopes, provided with three-quarter and one- 

 tifth objectives, and a high grade Zeiss instrument with immer- 

 sion objectives, for any special investigation in which a good 

 instrument was necessary. A quantity of reagents, glass ware, 

 chemicals, dissecting tools, etc., was also provided. In addition 

 to these microscopes and their accessories, a good photographic 

 outfit was secured, with an abundant svipply of films and drv 

 plates for hand and tripod cameras. Experience proved that a 

 much smaller number of microscopes w^ould have been sufK- 

 cient. It rareh' happened that any considerable number of 

 the party made use of the instruments at the same time. 

 While we were dredging almost every one had his or her 

 specified duties to attend to, in the way of watching the 

 dredge, assorting or caring for the quantities of material com- 

 ing up with almost every haul, and making rough and hasty 

 notes of the specimens which seemed to be of the most 

 interest. Again, when we were in port, all hands were eager 

 to a'o on shore and see the characteristic sip'hts of foreiirn 

 lands. A half dozen compound microscopes would doubtless 

 have answered all requirements, and at the same time left 

 more room for other things. 



Professor Weld had a difficult task before him in the plan- 

 ning of equipment which should come within the exceedingl}' 

 limited means at our disposal, and at the same time do effect- 

 ive work of a kind hitherto attempted onl\- by government 

 vessels with equipment costing thousands of dollars. 



Correspondence was entered into with various gentlemen 

 whose experience could helji our cause. It is worthy of grate- 

 ful record that in ever}- case the response was prompt, and the 



