5A THE DEPTHS OF THE SEA. [CHAP. II. 
naturalists who might be willing to accompany us, for the 
purpose of carrying on a systematic course of deep-sea dredging 
for a month or six weeks of the present summer, commencing 
early in August. 
Though we desire that this inquiry should be extended both 
in geographical range and in depth as far as is proposed in Prof. 
Wyville Thomson’s letter, we think it preferable to limit our- 
selves on the present occasion to a request which will not, we 
believe, involve the extra expense of sending out a coaling- 
vessel. We should propose to make Kirkwall or Lerwick our 
port of departure, to explore the sea-bottom between the Shetland 
and the Faroe Islands, dredging around the shores and in the 
fiords of the latter (which have not yet, we believe, been 
scientifically examined), and then to proceed as far north-west 
into the deep water between the Feroe Islands and Iceland as 
may be found practicable. | 
It would be desirable that the vessel provided for such 
a service should be one capable of making way under_canvas 
as well as by steam-power; but as our operations must neces- 
sarily be slow, speed would not be required. Considerable 
labour would be spared to the crew if the vessel be provided 
with a ‘donkey-engine’ that could be used for pulling up the 
dredge. 
If the Council of the Royal Society should deem it expedient 
to prefer this request to the Admiralty, I trust that they may 
further be willing to place at the disposal of Prof. Wyville 
Thomson and myself, either from the Donation Fund or the 
Government-Grant Fund, a sum of £100 for the expenses we 
must incur in providing an ample supply of spirit and of jars for 
the preservation of specimens, with other scientific appliances. 
We would undertake that the choicest of such specimens should 
be deposited in the British Museum. 
I shall be obliged by your bringing this subject before the 
Council of the Royal Society, and remain, 
Dear General Sabine, yours faithfully, 
WILLIAM B, CARPENTER. 
The President of the Royal Society. 
