CHAP, ii.] Til E CRUISE OF THE 'LIGHTNING: 57 



had adopted the current strange misconception with 

 regard to the distribution of ocean temperature ; and 

 it is perhaps scarcely a valid excuse that the fallacy 

 of a universal and constant temperature of 4 C. 

 below a certain depth varying according to latitude, 

 was at the time accepted and taught by nearly all 

 the leading authorities in Physical Geography. 



Prom the time that the Admiralty gave their 

 sanction to the use of a Government vessel for the 

 investigation. Dr. Carpenter's labours in working out 

 all the necessary arrangements and preparations were 

 unceasing, and to his influence in the Council of the 

 Royal Society, and to the confidence placed in his 

 judgment by members of the Government and men 

 in official positions, the success of the undertaking is 

 unquestionably due. 



The surveying ship ' Lightning ' was assigned for 

 the service a cranky little vessel enough, one which 

 had the somewhat doubtful title to respect of being 

 perhaps the very oldest paddle-steamer in her 

 Majesty's navy. We had not good times in the 

 * Lightning.' She kept out the water imperfectly, 

 and as we had deplorable weather during nearly the 

 whole of the six weeks we were afloat, we were in con 

 siderable discomfort. The vessel, in fact, was scarcely 

 seaworthy, the iron hook and screw-jack fastenings of 

 the rigging were worn with age, and many of them 

 were carried away, and on two occasions the ship ran 

 some risk. Still the voyage was on the whole almost 

 pleasant. Staff-Commander May had lately returned 

 from Annesley Bay, where he had been harbour-master 

 during the Abyssinian war ; and his intelligence and 

 vivacity, and the cordial good-fellowship of his officers, 



