xiv THE VOYAGE OF H.M.S. CHALLENGER. 



In order to prepare within a reasonable time a report which should fully 

 embody the results of the expedition, and indicate the extent to which the 

 instructions of the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty had been carried out, 

 it was obviously necessary to invite the assistance of specialists in the different 

 departments, and particularly in the different branches of Zoology. In doing 

 this I had no hesitation in regarding the enterprise as thoroughly cosmopolitan 

 in character; and although the manifest convenience of avoiding as far as 

 possible the necessity for sending large series of specimens out of the country 

 caused a preponderance of British workers on the list, I requested the co- 

 operation of those naturalists with whom I was acquainted whose authority in 

 the different groups was most generally recognised and who had time to under- 

 take the task, without the slightest reference to nationality ; this principle 

 of selection was endorsed by nearly all the leading English men of science. 

 From the nature of .my instructions, the responsibility of selecting my 

 colleagues in the preparation of the official report rested entirely with myself. 

 I acted, however, in almost every case under the advice and with the concur- 

 rence of some of the leading members of the Koyal Society. A few of the 

 gentlemen to whom I applied for assistance found that their engagements 

 were such as to prevent their undertaking so heavy a piece of work, but most 

 met my views with friendly readiness; and for the generous consideration 

 with which so many men of high distinction at home and abroad have given 

 me their support and assistance in a task of no little difficulty, I cannot be 



sufficiently grateful. 



C. WYVILLE THOMSON. 



Challenger Office, 32 Queen Street, 

 Edinburgh, June 20, 1880. 



