PHOTOGRAPHY OF AQUATIC ANIMALS. 65 



he is inclined to believe that probably all the photographic work that it is desirable 

 to do there may be done without the use of a diver's suit. The occasions on which 

 such a suit is really necessary for work in either fresh or salt water are probably 

 extremely rare. 



If the objects to be photographed are motionless, or nearly so, time exposures 

 may be made with this apparatus by suitably adjusting the camera before placing 

 it in the box. For this use it is desirable to add to the box a third rod working 

 through a stuffing box and so placed that by means of it the shutter may be released 

 independently of the mirror. 



Two photographs made by the method here described are reproduced on plate 

 ii. In figure 1, plate i, a butterfly-fish (Chaetodon ca pi stratus) with a stripe through 

 the eye and an eye-like spot on the tail is seen over a flat expanse of coral ( Meandrina) 

 and at the base of a large, branching gorgonian. The photograph was taken while 

 the fish was in rapid movement. The expanded polyps may be seen on the gorgo- 

 nian just above the fish and elsewhere. Figure 2, plate n, shows a group of parrot 

 fishes, of at least three species, and several surgeons against a background of branch- 

 ing gorgonians on a ledge of rock. Near the center is a blue and yellow striped 

 grunt, Hsemulon Jlavolineatum. At the left of this is a blue parrot-fish, CaUyodon 

 cwuleus. At the right of the grunt is a green parrot-fish, CaUyodon vetula, about 

 18 inches long. Beneath the green parrot is a mottled parrot-fish (Sparisoma?}. 

 Above the grunt is a second mottled parrot and to the left of this a third. At 

 the extreme left are two surgeons, Ilepatus Jiepatus: a third is seen below the green 

 parrot. Above the green parrot, in the background, is a purple sea fan, RJiipi- 

 doglossa. In most of the fish the details of the markings and the outlines of the 

 scales are clearly seen. 



These photographs were taken in water about 4 feet deep with a Goerz II. B. 

 lens at a speed of f 5. The exposure was 3*5 second with Seeds P. orthochro- 

 matic plate and a no. 3 graphic color screen. The plates were fully timed and 

 were developed rapidly with a strong pyro developer. 



The apparatus used by the writer was experimental only and was meant 

 for temporary use. It is easy to suggest improvements, the greatest of which 

 would be a magazine plate holder for at least twelve plates and capable of being 

 operated from outside the box which incloses the camera. There appears to be no 

 such holder on the market. Magazine holders provided with a bag can not be 

 used even though the leather bag of the plate holder be covered with a rubber bag 

 so attached to the box inclosing the camera that the water can not enter, for the 

 pressure of the water is such that even when the box is but partly immersed the 

 rubber bag is forced into the box through the opening to which it is attached and 

 the holder can not then be manipulated. This difficulty would be increased if an 

 attempt were made to use the apparatus at a greater depth. What is needed is a 

 magazine plate holder that presents a rigid exterior everywhere and that may be 

 operated from the outside of the box by means of rods passing to the inside through 

 stuffing boxes. 



The box can be improved by reducing to its lowest limit the number of screws 

 used to fasten the cover, for if but one or two screws had to be loosened to open the 

 box much time would be saved in changing plates. 



B. B. F. 19075 



