m 



ON SOME OF THE RESULTS OF THE 

 EXPEDITION OF H.M.S. CHALLENGER 



[1875] 



IN May, 1873, I drew attention 1 to the im- 

 portant problems connected with the physics 

 and natural history of the sea, to the solu- 

 tion of which there was every reason to hope 

 the cruise of H.M.S. Challenger would furnish 

 important contributions. The expectation then 

 expressed has not been disappointed. Reports to 

 the Admiralty, papers communicated to the Royal 

 Society, and large collections which have already 

 been sent home, have shown that the Challenger's 

 staff have made admirable use of their great 

 opportunities; and that, on the return of the 

 expedition in 1874, their performance will be fulty 

 up to the level of their promise. Indeed, I am 

 disposed to go so far as to say, that if nothing 

 more came of the Challengers expedition than 

 1 See the preceding Essay. 



