400 



Messrs. Carpenter, Jeffreys, and Thomson [Nov. 18, 



vantage if the Surgeon appointed to the Ship should have sufficient know- 

 ledge of Natural History, and sufficient interest in the inquiry, to partici- 

 pate in the work. 



" The experience of the previous Expedition will furnish adequate 

 guidance as to the appliances which it would be necessary to ask the 

 Government to provide, in case they accede to the present application. 



" With reference to the Scientific instruments and apparatus to be pro- 

 vided by the Royal Society, the Committee recommend that the detailed 

 consideration of them be referred to a Special Committee, consisting of 

 Gentlemen practically conversant with the construction and working of 

 such instruments." 



Resolved, — That the Report now read be received and adopted, and that 

 application be made to Her Majesty's Government accordingly. 



The following Draft of a Letter to be transmitted by the Secretary to 

 the Secretary of the Admiralty was approved : — 



" The Royal Society, 



Burlington House, 



February 18, 1869. 



" Sir, — Referring to the 'Preliminary Report ' by Dr. Carpenter of the 

 Results of the Deep- Sea Exploration carried on during the brief cruise of 

 Her Majesty's Steam-vessel 'Lightning' in August and September last, 

 which has already been transmitted for the consideration of the Lords 

 Commissioners of the Admiralty — I am directed by the President and 

 Council of the Royal Society to state that, looking to the valuable infor- 

 mation obtained from these Marine Researches, although comparatively 

 restricted in duration and extent, they deem it most desirable, in the in- 

 terests of Biological and Physical Science, and in no small degree also for 

 the advancement of Hydrographical knowledge, that a fresh exploration 

 should be entered upon in the ensuing summer, and extended over a wider 

 area ; and they now desire earnestly to recommend the matter to the 

 favourable consideration of My Lords, in the hope that the aid of Her 

 Majesty's Government, which was so readily and liberally bestowed last 

 year, may be afforded to the undertaking now contemplated, for which 

 such support would be indispensable. 



In favour of the practicability and probable success of the proposed 

 fresh exploration, I am directed to explain that the objects to be aimed at, 

 as well as the course to be followed and the measures to be employed for 

 their attainment, have mainly been suggested by the observations made 

 and the experience gained in the last Expedition. 



"Further information as to the proposed exploration will be found in 

 the Report, herewith transmitted, of a Committee to whose consideration 

 the subject was referred by the Council. 



" It is understood that the requisite Scientific Apparatus and the re- 

 muneration of the Assistants to be employed would be provided by the 



