66 KEPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. [64] 



SIGSBEE'S water-specimen cup (plate XXXIV). 



The Sigsbee water-specimen cup, or water bottle, is designed to bring 

 a specimen of water from any desired depth for the purpose of analysis 

 or to determine its specific gravity. The valves are closed mechanic- 

 ally and cannot be opened again, except by hand, therefore these cups 

 may be used in series, any desired number being sent down on the same 

 line. 



NOMENCLATURE. 



a. Cylinder. 



h. Lower valve seat. 



c. Detachable upper valve seat. 



d. Upper poppet valve. 



e. Lower poppet valve. 

 /. Valve stem. 



g. German silver compression spring. 

 /(. The frame 



i. German silver removable sleeve. 

 j. Brass pin. 

 k. German silver shaft. 

 I. Screw thread (44 to the inch). 

 m. Screw thread (44 to the inch). 

 n. German silver propeller. 

 0. Hub. 



p. Inside screw thread (44 to the inch). 

 q. Guide cap. 

 r. Beveled lugs. 

 s. German silver bushing. 

 t. German silver screw cap with milled head. 

 u. Beveled slots. 

 V. Inside screw thread. 

 tv. Clamp lugs. 

 X. Clamp pivot screw. 

 ;(/. Phosphor bronze clamp wire. 



The water bottle is made of brass, except such parts as are men- 

 tioned as being made of other metals. 



The following remarks upon its working are taken from Sigsbee's 

 Deep-sea Sounding and Dredging : 



"To adjust the yalves hold the upper valve firmly, and unseat the 

 lower valve by screwing it upward," the key (Fig. 5) being applied to 

 the lower end of the valve stem /for the purpose. " Then maintaining 

 the upper valve on its seat with the finger, or better by turning the 

 screw cap down uj)on it, reseat the lower valve gently. In general it 

 will be necessary to adjust the valve only after the cup has been taken 

 apart for cleaning or other purposes. 



"The cup when in use comes to the surface filled with water, the screw 

 cap pressing upon the upper valve, thus securing both valves, and the 

 ]>ropeller resting upon the screw cap. To remove the specimen from 

 the cup first lift the propeller, and by giving it a few turns cause its 

 threads to engage the screw threads on the shaft ; then turn up the 

 screw cap until it uncouples. With the cap in this condition the valves 



