GENEEAL INTRODUCTION TO THE ZOOLOGICAL REPORTS. 25 



both in tliis country and abroad, to consult their fragmentary records, and to lament the 

 loss or the confusion of their collections. It was, therefore, from the first a matter of 

 grave consideration with me by what machinery it might be possible to keep the collec- 

 tion together, and to prepare a report which should justify the expense of the voyage, 

 and bring its results in the different departments included in our instructions in a 

 definite form within the domain of acquired knowledge. 



As the scheme of dredging at extreme depths was a novel one, and there was still 

 great uncertainty both as to the practicability of the investigation, and the amount of 

 the probable results if it proved successful, it seemed premature to make a definite 

 arrangement before leaving England as to the final disposal of a problematic collection. 

 We started, accordingly, with the obvious understanding that all collections made, as 

 well as aU official journals, and all other scientific work done by the salaried members of 

 the scientific staff were Government property, to be dealt with finally as Government 

 might direct ; and further, that on the return of the expedition means should be provided 

 for working out and publishing the scientific results of the voyage under my direction. 



In the fixst instance, the instructions of the Admiralty, that no publication of any 

 portion of the results should take place during the voyage, except through my own 

 official reports, was very definite. I thought it my duty, however, to represent strongly 

 to their Lordships, that some of the gentlemen associated with me in the undertaking 

 might reasonably expect to have the advantage of publishing at once any new results of 

 value, which they might obtain in their several departments, in their own names; and it 

 was finally conceded that it should be left to my discretion to aUow the publication of 

 what appeared to me suitable, on my own responsibility, in certain transactions and 

 journals. Under this special sanction several important Memoirs were published by 

 Mr Moseley and Dr v. Willemoes-Suhm in the Transactions of the Eoyal and Linnsean 

 Societies. 



So early as the 13th November 1874, Captain Evans, C.B., F.E.S., the Hydrographer 

 of the Admiralty, wrote to me asking my views as to the mode of working up and 

 publishing the scientific results of the expedition ; and the temporary and ultimate 

 disposition of the collection, of which a considerable bulk had already been sent home. 

 The temporary arrangement was at that time the most pressing, and I quote from my 

 reply, dated January 8, 1875 : — 



When I undertook my share in this expedition, it was with the understanding that I did so specially 

 with the view of superintending the working out of the results in the department under my direction. This I 

 could not undertake to do if the collections passed into other hands, or were dispersed without my direct super- 

 vision. The notes and references are very complicated, prepared by different hands ; and the collection would 

 lose half its value if its arrangement and description was undertaken by any one who had not a full knowledge 

 of its antecedents. I believe that the great reason of the comparative failure of the natural science results of 

 fonner expeditions has been, that no proper or liberal arrangement has been made for the publication of the 



