776 
THE YOYAGE OE H.M.S. CHALLENGER. 
bottom, but from intermediate depths. The tow-net gatherings were very productive 
throughout the trip, the abundance of life in the Equatorial and Counter Equatorial 
Currents being very remarkable, both for the number of species and individuals. Nets 
were frequently sent down to depths greater than 100 fathoms, and in every case yielded 
forms not met with in the surface waters. 
The Society Islands. 
On the 18th September, at daylight, Eimeo Island was seen ahead, and Tahiti on the 
port bow, and at 6 a.m. the Tetuaroa Islands. At 10 a.m. the ship was stopped and 
a sounding taken in 1525 fathoms (see Sheet 38), with the extremities of Tahiti 
S. 52° E. and S. 18° E., and the summit S. 34° E., the extremities of Tetuaroa Islands 
N. 18° E. and N. 33° E., the extremities of Eimeo S. 7° W. and S. 31° W., and the apex 
S. 14° W. Shortly after noon, having obtained temperatures to 1000 fathoms, the vessel 
proceeded towards Papiete Harbour, and having received a pilot at the entrance, 
anchored at 4.30 p.m. in 11 fathoms, with Point Fareute N. 5° W. and Motu-Uta Island 
N. 82° W. 
Tahiti . — The Expedition remained at Tahiti until the 3rd October, completing with 
coal, obtaining observations, and preparing for the voyage to Valparaiso, and it is 
hardly necessary to say received every attention both from the French authorities 
and the natives. 
The French authorities compel the payment of pilotage into the harbour ; if a pilot be 
employed, the full amount is charged, if he be not employed, then half the amount. An 
excellent chart of Papiete Harbour is published at Paris, and also two good sheets of the 
coasts of the island ; one extending from Papiete Harbour to Punaavia on the west 
coast, and the other from Point Venus to the Artemise Bank on the north coast. The 
survey of the island has, it is understood, been completed and will doubtless soon be 
engraved. 
The leading marks into Papiete Harbour are excellent, but as the channel is very 
narrow and the water on the bar frequently turbid, strangers may with advantage 
employ a local pilot the first time they enter, but will probably prefer afterwards to 
dispense with his services. The leading marks into Toanoa Harbour have been removed, 
but the passage into it, and from it to Papiete, is now well beaconed, and as it is deep and 
the water clear, the reefs may readily be distinguished, provided the sun be not ahead. 
The beacons are white on the south side of the channel and red on the north side, and 
by their aid and a lookout from the foreyard, no difficulty should be experienced in 
using this passage. 
The little island of Motu-Uta is now used as a quarantine ground, and a quarantine 
