— 6 — 



I. Investigation of the Coastal Seas and 



II. Transatlantic Investigation Cruises. 



Both are to be carried out synoptically, i. e., simultaneously, and according to 

 a plan mutually agreed upon. 



Our reasons for laying especial stress on the point that the reconnaissances of 

 the Atlantic should be made by the synoptical method; i. e., by simultaneous 

 quarterly cruises, are: 



Firstly, that this species of investigation has been recommended to the Govern- 

 ments by the resolutions of the Geographical Congresses in London, Berlin, Geneva and 

 Rome, and has for years served as the basis for the investigation of the Northern 

 Seas and of the Adriatic, and 



Secondly, that it is inevitably necessary once to obtain a comprehensive view, 

 on broad lines, of the actual condition of the Atlantic Ocean in summer and winter^ ; 

 not until we have in this manner obtained a general survey of the whole will it 

 be possible to successfully direct the special investigation towards certain important 

 questions, e. g., internal movements in the water layers of the ocean, tidal 

 currents at the surface and in deep water, variations of plankton life with the 

 seasons, etc. 



It is of great importance for the completion of such investigations that the 

 countries surrounding the Atlantic Ocean should participate in them. Great Britain 

 and the United States have already joined in the International Investigation of the 

 Sea. One of the first and most essential points for future endeavour is to seek the 

 participation of France and Canada in the investigations. 



The Investigation of the Coastal Seas. 



a. The north-eastern part of the Atlantic water system, from Ice- 

 land and the Faeroe-Shetland ridge to Spitzbergen and Nova Zemlya, 

 including the North Sea, the Skagerak, the Cattegat and the Baltic. 



These parts of the sea are to be investigated according to the usual programme. 

 The Council and the Central Bureau will see that the quarterly cruises are carried 

 out to the full number, and that the Barents Sea also is investigated at the time 

 of the Atlantic reconnaissance. 



b. The southern side of the Iceland-Faeroe-Wy ville Thomson- 

 ridge, the Rockall channel, and the mouth of the Channel. 



It is to be hoped that the investigation of the first named parts of the sea will 

 be continued, in the manner hitherto customary, by the Scottish, Danish and Nor- 

 wegian Commissions with the investigation steamers »Goldseeker«, »Thor« and »Mi- 

 chael Sars«. As regards the western part of the Rockall channel, as well as the 



' As to the condition of the North Atlantic Ocean in winter we know nothing at present, the in- 

 vestigations hitherto made having, with few exceptions, been carried out in summer or autumn. 



