X1i PREFACE. 
The scientific staff of the ‘Challenger’ are well 
aware that for some time to come their réle is to 
work and not to talk; but now, on the eve of depar- 
ture, I think it is only right to take this opportunity 
of saying that nothing has been left undone by the 
Government to ensure the success of the undertaking, 
and that dire misfortune only ought to prevent our 
furnishing a valuable return. 
C. WYVILLE THOMSON. 
EpINBURGH, 
December 2nd, 1872. 
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