s 



ANNUAL REPORT OF THE 



ships, in solving the mystery of this interesting annelid, and 

 brought back with me an unrivalled lot of material. I am under 

 great obligations to CTapt. Victor Schoenfelder of H. I. M. S. 

 " Falke," and to Mr. W. Blacklock, U. S. Vice-Consul at Apia, 

 for assistance and many kindnesses, also to my native friends, 

 without whose help and interest success would have been impos- 

 sible. To Dr. Augustin Kramer of the Imperial German Navy, 

 a fellow naturalist, I am especially indebted, for his unselfish 

 help and advice and his tender care of me when I was ill at Apia. 

 Dr. Kramer has also placed at my disposal his splendid collection 

 of annelids from the reefs of Samoa, where he was through three 

 Palolo .seasons working at the same problem as myself. 



Leave of absence has been- granted to me to accompany Mr. 

 Agassiz on an expedition to the South Pacific during the coming 

 fall and winter. The United States Fish Commission steamer 

 u Albatross" has been placed at the disposal of Mr. Agassiz, 

 who will take with him as assistants from the Museum Dr. A. G. 

 Mayer and myself. The Hon. George M. Bowers, United States 

 Fish Commissioner, and the Navy Department have done every- 

 thing possible to advance the interests of the expedition. Lieu- 

 tenant-Commander Jefferson F. Moser, U. S. N., will command 

 the ''Albatross." The expedition is undertaken by Mr. Agassiz 

 chiefly in continuation of his researches on coral formations, but 

 deep-sea work will also be carried on. The main fields of work 

 of the expedition will be the Paumotu and Marshall Islands, and 

 the " Albatross " will also visit the Marquesas, Society, Tonga, 

 Fiji, Cook, Ellice, Gilbert, Caroline, and Ladrone Islands and 

 smaller intermediate groups. The results of the expedition will 

 be published by the Fish Commission in cooperation with Mr. 

 Agassiz for the Museum. 



W. McM. WOODWORTH, 



Assistant in Charge. 



Cambridge, September 1, 1809. 



