CO Observations Conducted on Sailing-Skips 



conform to the requirements of scientific accuracy, without which 

 hydrographical ohservations would, of course, be absolutely useless. 

 Dredging and trawling may be carried on by anyone, and information 

 of the most important character obtained as regards fishes and the 

 distribution of species of marine fauna (and flora). The tedium of 

 many a weary hour at sea might be relieved by the excitement of 

 putting out a tow-net or dredge, the contents of which may very 

 often reveal some prize. Of course, to the ordinary individual, not a 

 zoologist, the chief difficulty is that he does not know what he has 

 got ; but a very short practical experience is all that is necessary to 

 enable him to recognize what is common, and therefore usually of 

 little value to the scientist, and what is a rare or uncommon, and 

 therefore worth preserving. Scientists are always willing enough to 

 assist in the investigation of the marine fauna, and many a museum 

 might be thus greatly enriched with rare or uncommon specimens. 



I cannot but think that to those fond of cruising away from land 

 a new and profitable delight might be added by undertaking observa- 

 tions of this kind. 



Still, desultory observations of this nature, however gratifying to 

 the amateur, are of no value to the scientist unless they are carried 

 out on a definite and continuous plan. For instance, when a yachts- 

 man is contemplating a cruise, say to the Mediterranean, to the 

 Azores, or across the Atlantic, or northerly to Iceland or the Faeroes, 

 etc., observations on hydrography, or tow-nets used at regular intervals 

 during the cruise, cannot fail to record facts of interest and of great 

 assistance to marine scientists, especially if the observations are 

 conducted upon a plan and under the advice of someone who can 

 acquaint the intending observer with the essentials for successful 

 and useful work. 



Returning after this digression to the subject-matter of this 

 chapter — namely, the apparatus and methods suitable for a sailing- 

 ship — we may first briefly discuss the matter of what such a vessel 

 may do and the means of accomplishing it. 



A sailing-ship may quite well undertake soundings, the use of 



