Xll 



PREFACE. 



The scientific staff of the ' Challenger' are well 

 aware that for some time to come their role is to 

 work and not to talk ; but now, on the eve of depar- 

 ture, I think it is only right to take this opportunity 

 of saying that nothing has been left undone by the 

 Government to ensure the success of the undertaking, 

 and that dire misfortune only ought to prevent our 



furnishing a valuable return. 



Edinburgh, 



December 2nd, 1872. 



C. Wyville Thomson. 



