152 MESSES. J. C. MELTILL A^V E. STAIS-DEN ON 



Erom a scientific point of view, the following four Expeditions 

 are the most importaut that have been made in past years to 

 this region. 



1. The Voyage of H.M.S. 'Ely.' 

 Dr. J. B. Jukes *, in 1842-46, exploring part of North 

 Australia, with the South Papuan coasts, assiduously collected 

 MoUusca. These were mostly described by Arthur Adams and 

 Eeeve, while Dr. J. E. Gray, in an appendix to Jukes's narrative, 

 gave diagnoses of several importaut discoveries, e. g. Voluta 

 Sophia, Cyprcea Comptoni, &c. 



2. The Voyage of H.M.S. ' Challeistgee.' 



The ' Challenger ' Expedition t, 1873-76, dredged as follows : — 



Station 184, August 29, 1874. E. of Cape York, N.E. Aus- 

 tralia, 1400 fathoms ; Globigerina-ooze. 



Stations 185 & 185'', Aug. 31, in the same locality, from 128 

 to 135 fathoms. 



Sept. 7 & 8. Torres Straits and Elinders' Passage, 3-11 

 fathoms. 



Station 186, Sept. 8, 1874. "Wednesday Island, Cape York, and 

 Albany Island, 3-12 iathoms ; coral-mud. 



Station 187, Sept. 9, 1874. W. of Cape York, 6 fathoms. 



Station 188, Sept. 10. Off the S.VV. of Papua, 28 fathoms ; 

 green mud. 



Most of these soundings were successful, and a profusion of 

 new Mollusca of great interest the result. 



We are surprised that so few of these are in the collection now 

 before us, as ia some instances almost the same localities would 

 seem to have been searched and traversed. 



3. The Vota&e of the ' Cheveet.' 

 This expedition started from Sydney early in 1876, Mr. John 

 Brazier being the malacologist attached to the staff. He has 

 published the results in a series of articles, dealing thoroughly 



* Narrative of the Surveying Voyage of H.M.S. ' Fly,' commanded by 

 Captain F. E. Blackwood, E.N., in Torres Straits, New Guinea, and other 

 Islands of the Eastern Archipelago, during the years 1842-46. By J. Beete 

 Jukes. 



t Report on the Voyage of H.M.S. ' Challenger ' during the years 1873-76. 

 Zoology, vol. xiii. pp. 16-18 ; vol. xv. pp. 710-714. 



