xxx PREFACE 



of soils. For the work in botany, all the necessary equipment for collecting 

 and preserving plants was provided. For the work on mosquitoes, collecting 

 jars, preserving fluids, and other necessary apparatus were supplied. For the 

 work on fishes, tangle-bars and oyster-dredges were furnished by the Expedi- 

 tion ; a hand-windlass for deep-sea dredging was kindly loaned by the University 

 of Iowa; nets and deep-sea dredges were furnished to the Expedition by the 

 IT. S. Fish Commission, and a glass-bottom boat was contributed by Mr. 

 Bernard N. Baker, of Baltimore. For the work on land zoology, guns, ammuni- 

 tion, collecting bags, chests for skins, preserving fluids, etc., were supplied. For 

 the work on sanitary conditions, the Expedition furnished a supply of drugs 

 and instruments which was as complete as possible. The care of the members 

 of the party was the first consideration, and no expense was spared in order 

 to be prepared for any emergency which might arise. In addition to the 

 above a naphtha launch, cameras, and a library containing books relating to the 

 Bahama Islands were supplied for the use of all the party. 



This equipment, together with provisions for a two months' cruise were 

 placed on board the Van Name, a one hundred ton schooner which had been 

 chartered for the Expedition. The cabin of this ship was set aside for an 

 office and reading room, and the various staterooms opening from it were 

 used as laboratories and a dark room. The men were quartered in the hold, 

 which had been renovated and freshly painted. 



As a number of the men who took part in the Expedition were on leave 

 of absence from various government bureaus for the months of June and July 

 only, the time at the disposal of the Expedition was limited. Every effort 

 was made to so arrange matters that work could go forward with the greatest 

 possible dispatch. Unfortunately, however, storms, head winds, and calm 

 weather prolonged the outward voyage and the vessel did not arrive at Nassau, 

 its first stopping place, until the 17th of June. It was necessary to leave 

 before the end of July in order to reach Baltimore at the time appointed. This 

 left about five weeks in which to prosecute the work. It was fully intended to 

 explore some of the more southerly islands of the Bahama group, but the plan 

 was finally abandoned on account of the loss of time occasioned by unfavorable 

 sailing conditions. However, the Expedition visited Abaco, New Providence, 

 Andros, Green Cay, and the Eleuthera group of islands, Cat Island, Long 

 Island, Hum Cay and Watlings Island. 



Although the work of the various staffs was somewhat diversified, there 

 was little difficulty experienced in adjusting the needs of each. The historian, 



