34 THE WATER 



Suitable boxes for packing the 6-ounce milk bottles 

 can be obtained from the glass makers. They should 

 be divided into compartments, so that each bottle is 

 separated from the others, and both bottom and lid 

 should be lined with felt. No further packing is 

 required. The boxes should have a hasp and staple 

 for closing, and rope handles should be fitted. Hand 

 holes give admission to rats, which eat the labels. 



Care should be taken to rinse out the bottle 

 thoroughly with part of the water, and not to fill the 

 bottle within (say) an inch of the stopper. Frost 

 should also be guarded against ; one of the writers has 

 lost a number of samples from this cause. 



The particulars (i.e., name of ship, date, time, 

 latitude and longitude, depth, and temperature) should 

 be written on stout Manilla paper labels, and tied to 

 the bottle, the string being fastened in such a way as 

 to obviate any possibility of the catch springing up. 

 The number of bottles in each box will vary according 

 to circumstances. Suitable numbers are thirty, thirty- 

 six, and forty-two. For larger quantities of water, 

 " imperial pints " of the same shape may be used. 



Surface water is easily collected in the bottle itself 

 or in a bucket ; as the bucket will also be used for 

 determining the temperature it is somewhat difficult 

 to decide on the best material. It must be easily 

 washed free from dried salt, and from this point of 

 view a non-porous material, such as metal, is most 

 suitable. On the other hand, a metal bucket allows 

 the temperature to change so rapidly, that it is at 

 times impossible to obtain a correct reading. Wood 

 gives accurate temperatures, but requires very careful 

 washing to free it from salt. The author prefers to 

 use a riveted leather bucket for surface samples 

 taken under way ; but if the vessel is stopped and 



