18 THE FRESH- WATER LOCHS OF SCOTLAND 
made of coarse and fine materials, as well as the special nets designed 
by Apstein and Nansen. During his biological investigations, Mr 
James Murray established many temporary fresh- water laboratories, 
where microscopic work was carried on, and the same may be said of 
Mr George West with reference to his botanical work in connection 
with the survey. 
Lake Deposits. — These were collected in a variety of ways, 
according to the depth and other conditions, and the quantity of the 
sample desired. For the most part the samples were obtained in long 
brass tubes about half an inch in diameter, attached to the lead of 
the sounding apparatus. When a section of the deposit was required, 
the tubes were arranged to project nearly two feet beyond a heavy 
lead, which forced the tube fully eighteen inches into the deposit in 
some instances, a section of that length being occasionally procured. 
These tubes had a valve at the upper end. As a rule the tube was 
much shorter, and a butterfly valve was at times placed at the lower 
end especially when there was reason to suppose that the deposit was 
sandy. A bucket dredge was used from a steam-yacht or rowing-boat 
when a laige sample of the deposit was required. 
APPENDIX I 
I. The Secretary of the Royal Society of Edinburgh to the 
Secretary of H.M. Treasury 
Royal Society of Edinburgh, 
iWi July 1883. 
Sir, — In consequence of the investigations now being carried on with reference 
to the physical and biological conditions of the Scottish fresh- water lakes, and 
also because of the importance, in certain branches of geological inquiry, of 
knowing the form of the basins occupied by these lakes, it has been prominently 
brought under the notice of the President and Council of this Society, that no 
bathymetrical survey of these lakes exists. 
1 have, therefore, been requested by the President and Council to ascertain 
from H.M. Government if there is any probability of this work being soon under- 
taken, and, at the same time, to state that it would be a great satisfaction to the 
President and Council to learn that instructions had been issued by the Lords 
Commissioners of H.M, Treasury to the Officers of the Ordnance Survey, or of the 
Hydrographic Department of the Admiralty, to undertake a survey of a few of 
these lakes similar to the excellent ones already made of Loch Lomond and Loch 
Awe — say Lochs Morar, Maree, Lochy, Assynt, Shin, Tay, Ericht, Rannoch, Earn, 
Doon (in Ayrshire). — I am, etc., 
(Signed) P. G. Tait, 
Secretary, Royal Society, Edinburgh. ■ 
