GENERAL INTRODUCTION TO THE ZOOLOGICAL REPORTS. 27 



2. I take for granted that the first object in importance is to prepare from the journals and notes, and from 

 the study of the collections, a complete account of the scientific results of the voyage, comparable perhaps with 

 that which is now being published in Vienna of the results of the voyage of the Austrian frigate Novaba ; 

 and that the other object is to put the various collections in a form in which they can be used for comparison and 

 stady, and finally to distribute them to different museums according to a given plan. I do not see that it is 

 possible, in the present case, to separate entirely these two principal objects. The specialists who undertake 

 the different groups must see the whole of the specimens of each group ; and it is by their separating and 

 naming allied species, and describing new forms and selecting specimens for study, that the collections will be 

 prepared for final distribution. I do not think that the account of the voyage could be fully published and the 

 whole matter closed in less than five years from the 1st of May 1877. During these five years the expenses 

 might be estimated at £4000 a year, one year with another, supposing the printing to be done at the Govern- 

 ment printing-office. 



3. This ship may probably pay off in England towards the end of June 1876. As we shall be engaged 

 with observations up to the very last, the first step must be to get the collections and notes into order, and to 

 prepare the specimens lor reference and study. This will be a heavy matter, and it will require for a time the 

 co-operation of the whole staff, each in his own department. I would suggest that the positions of the members 

 of the civilian staff remain as they are, and that their salaries be continued up to the end of the quarter which 

 closes on the 31st March 1877. Besides being by far the most convenient way of winding up the practical 

 work of the cruise, I think that so much consideration is due to the members of the civilian staff ; for all of 

 them gave up remunerative situations to join this expedition, and it is impossible for them to count upon 

 slipping at once into equivalent positions. 



4. After careful consideration I think I can undertake that the preliminary reports and journals shall be 

 made up to the end and put into form, and the collections roughly arranged and put into a condition for 

 distribution to experts, on the 1st of May 1877, but not before that date. 



5. From the paying-off of the ship till the end of April 1877, taking the time as a whole year, I would 

 estimate the expenses at £2800, viz. : — 



The Salaries of the present Staff ........ £2000 



The Salary of Pearcey as trained Assistant . . . . .100 



Contingent Expenses, including the pay of a servant, the putting up of fittings 

 and other carpenter's work, the purchase of a large quantity of glass jars 

 and spirits of wine, travelling expenses, &c. .... 700 



This is supposing that we can get accommodation free, which I believe we can. It would be about three 

 quarters of a year; so that the actual sum would be £2100 or £2200, for I do not think the contingent 

 account for that period would bear much reduction. 



6. After the 1st May 1877, I would propose that the arrangements be put on a new footing. It will 

 then be necessary to call in the assistance of outsiders, who are experts in the different departments. The 

 members of the present scientific staff will be free to undertake other emisloyment, and certain work will be 

 put into certain men's hands, and they wOl be paid for what they do according to a scale for which we have 

 sufficient precedent. I think it would be only right that those who have taken part in the expedition should 

 be allowed the first choice of the departments which they propose to take up 



Mr Murray will report upon the nature of the Sea-bottom ; . . . . but I propose that he shall be retained 



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