CHAP. Iv. ] THE CRUISES OF THE ‘ PORCUPINE,’ 199 
and there I should be myself prepared to join her, in place of 
Mr. Jeffreys, with one of my sons as an assistant. We should 
propose first to complete the survey of the Straits of Gibraltar, 
if that should not have been fully accomplished previously; and 
then to proceed eastwards along the Mediterranean, making 
stretches between the coasts of Europe and Africa, so as to carry 
out as complete a survey, Physical and Zoological, of that part 
of the Mediterranean basin as time may permit. Malta would 
probably be our extreme point; and this we should reckon to 
reach about the middle of September. 
“«Tt is well known that there are questions of great Geolo- 
gical interest connected with the present distribution of Animal 
life in this area; and we have great reason to. believe that we 
shall here find at considerable depths a large number of Tertiary 
species which have been supposed to be extinct. And in regard 
to the Physics of the Mediterranean, it appears, from all that 
we have been able to learn, that very little is certainly known. 
The Temperature and Density of the water, at different depths, 
in a basin so remarkably cut off from the great ocean, and 
having a continual influx from it, form a most interesting sub- 
ject of inquiry, to which we shall be glad to give our best 
attention, if the means are placed within our reach.’ 
“ Considering the success of the two previous Expeditions, and 
especially that of the ‘Porcupine’ last year, the Committee are 
persuaded that no less important acquisitions for the furtherance 
of scientific knowledge would be gained by the renewed explora- 
tion as now proposed; and they accordingly recommend that a 
representation to that effect be made to the Admiralty, with a 
view to obtain the aid of Her Majesty’s Government as on the 
previous occasions. 
“The Committee approve of a proposal made by Mr. Gwyn 
Jeffreys to accept the services of Mr. Lindahl, of Lund, in the 
expedition as unpaid Assistant Naturalist. 
“As regards scientific instruments, the Committee have to 
report that those employed in last year’s voyage will be 
again available for use; and Mr. Siemens hopes to render 
his electro-thermal indicator of more easy employment on 
ship-board. 
