Narrative of Bahama Expedition. 7 



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

 to pieces. Mr. WilHam Powell ultimately tilled 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, wl^ose duty it was to 

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

 charge of the equipment for laboratory w^ork. 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 necessaiy. A quantity of reagents, glass w'are, 

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

 to these microscopes and their accessories, a good photographic 

 outfit was secured, with an abundant supply of tilms and dry 

 plates for hand and tripod cameras. Experience proved that a 

 much smaller number of microscopes would have been suffi- 

 cient. It rarelv happened that anv 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 hast}' 

 notes of the specimens which seemed to be of the most 

 interest. Again, w4ien we were in port, all hands were eager 

 to go on shore and see the characteristic sights of foreign 

 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 W'hich should come within the exceedingl}' 

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

 ive work of a kind hitherto attempted onlv by government 

 vessels with equipment costing thousands of dollars. 



Correspondence w^as entered into wdth various gentlemen 

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

 ful record that in every case the response was prompt, and the 



