CHAP, ii.] THE CRUISE OF TUE < LIGHTNING: 55 



From the Minutes of the Council of the Royal Society, 

 June 18, 1868. 



These letters having been considered, it was resolved, " That 

 the proposal of Drs. Carpenter and Wyville Thomson be ap- 

 proved, and recommended to the favourable consideration of the 

 authorities of the Admiralty ; and that a sum, of not exceeding 

 100, be advanced from the Donation Fund to meet the expenses 

 referred to in Dr. Carpenter's letter." 



The following draft of a letter to be written by the Secretary, 

 to the Secretary of the Admiralty, was approved : 



MY LORD, I am directed to acquaint you, for the information 

 of the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, that the President 

 and Council of the Eoyal Society have had under their con- 

 sideration a proposal by Dr. Carpenter, Vice-President of the 

 Eoyal Society, and Dr. Wyville Thomson, Professor of Natural 

 History in Queen's College, Belfast, for conducting dredging 

 operations at greater depths than have heretofore been attempted 

 in the localities which they desire to explore the main purpose 

 ' of such researches being to obtain information as to the ex- 

 istence, mode of life, and zoological relations of marine animals 

 living at great depths, with a view to the solution of various 

 questions relating to Animal Life, and having an important bear- 

 ing on Geology and Palaeontology. The objects of the opera- 

 tions which they wish to undertake, and the course which they 

 would propose to follow, as well as the aid they desire to obtain 

 from the Admiralty, are more fully set forth in the letter of 

 Dr. Carpenter to the President, and that of Professor Thomson, 

 copies of which I herewith enclose. 



The President and Council are of opinion that important 

 advantages may be expected to accrue to science from the 

 proposed undertaking ; accordingly they strongly recommend it 

 to the favourable consideration of her Majesty's Government, 

 and earnestly hope that the Lords Commissioners of the 

 Admiralty may be disposed to grant the aid requested. In such 



