134 THE DEPTHS OF THE SEA. [CHAP. 111- 
“The Committee appointed by the Council on the 21st of 
January, to consider the measures advisable for the further pro- 
secution of Researches into the Physical and Biological Condi- 
tions of the Deep Sea in the neighbourhood of the British Coast, 
beg leave to report as follows :— 
“The results obtained by the Dredgings and Temperature- 
Soundings carried on during the brief Cruise of H.MLS. ‘ Light- 
ning’ in August and September, 1868, taken in connection with 
those of the Dredgings recently prosecuted under the direction 
of the Governments of Sweden and of the United States, and 
with the remarkable Temperature-Soundings of Captain Short- 
land in the Arabian Gulf, have conclusively shown— 
“1. That the Ocean-bottom, at depths of 500 fathoms or more, 
presents a vast field for research, of which the systematic 
exploration can scarcely fail to yield results of the highest 
interest and importance, in regard alike to Physical, Biological, 
and Geological Science. 
“2. That the prosecution of such a systematic exploration is 
altogether beyond the reach of private enterprise, requiring 
means and appliances which can only be furnished by Govern- 
ment. 
“Tt may be hoped that Her Majesty’s torment may be 
induced at some future time to consider this work as one of the 
special duties of the British Navy; which possesses, in the 
world-wide distribution of its Ships, far greater opportunities for 
such researches than the Navy of any other country. 
“ At present, however, the Committee consider it desirable that 
the Royal Society should represent to Her Majesty’s Government 
the importance of at once following up the suggestions appended 
to Dr. Carpenter’s ‘Preliminary Report’ of the Cruise of the 
‘Lightning,’ by instituting, during the coming season, a detailed 
survey of the deeper part of the Ocean-bottom between the 
North of Scotland and the Fé&roe Islands, and by extending that 
survey in both a N.E. and a 8.W. direction, so as thoroughly to 
investigate the Physical and the Biological conditions of the two 
Submarine Provinces included in that area, which are character- 
ized by a strongly marked contrast in Climate, with a correspond- 
