'^ Narrative of Bahama Expedition. 21 



microscopes and other laboratory material; others unpacked 

 the books and placed them on the shelves of the " Library," 

 fitting" a movable wooden bar in front of each row, so that no 

 movement of the vessel could displace the books. Before 

 leaving home, all of the larger and more expensive volumes, 

 such as the '• Challenger " Reports and monographic works, 

 had been carefully covered with oil-cloth, lettered on the back 

 with white paint. 



A convenient place was found under the cabin floor, for the 

 ■ twenty-four ten gallon alcohol tanks, where the}' helped trim 

 the vessel and were safe from accident. Then the three 

 hundred fathoms of iron rope had to be reeled upon the drum 

 of the dredging machine under tension, and at the same time 

 thoroughly oiled to prevent corroding in the sea air. All of 

 the stores had to be carefully re-stowed before we got out into 

 the Atlantic, a work accomplished under the superintendence 

 of the mate, who directed the young men in disposing of the 

 various packages so as to properly distribute the weight, and at 

 the same time be accessible when wanted. 



Many of the party, although warned against it, had brought 

 along an excessive amount of baggage, which caused consider- 

 able annoyance before it was finally disposed of. In spite of 

 this, however, it was astonishing to see how satisfactorily the 

 baggage and stores were accomodated in the hold of the 

 '■• Emily E. Johnson," room being found for everything, leav- 

 ing sufficient space for comfortable sleeping, eating and work- 

 ing quarters. 



Another matter of great importance was the appointment 

 of two committees. One of these, known as the '• steward's 

 committee." had in charge the matter of issuing supplies to 

 the cook, and looking out for any waste or loss of water or 

 provisions. It was the duty of this committee to know where 

 everything in the line of eatables was stowed, how much had 

 been consumed, and what quantity remained, at any given 

 time. It can readily be seen that, with such a long cruise 

 before us. it would not do to guess at the condition of the 

 stores, neither could anv waste be tolerated. 



