170 
CRUISE OF H.M.S. CHALLENGER. 
Many of the specimens of marine zoology were 
vastly interesting, and in some cases quite new. 
On each occasion as the trawl appeared above the 
surface of the water the interest of our visitors was 
very great ; the silent eagerness of the experienced 
naturalist and the feverish exultation of the amateur 
conchologist as they pounced upon the newly dis- 
covered specimens formed quite a lively scene, in 
which the opinions of those learned in such matters 
were often very amusingly expressed. 
After mid-day we steamed in towards Long Bay, 
where a dredge was lost through getting entangled 
amongst the rocks, and another shared the same fate 
soon after between Coogee Bay and Bondi, the 
ground here being very unsuitable for our operations ; 
still, other trials were made, and altogether the 
results were considered very satisfactory. On its 
conclusion we returned to the anchorage, and took 
in moorings off Fort Dennison, at the entrance to 
the Circular Quay, all our visitors, before leaving, 
expressing that they had spent a most delightful 
and pleasant day. 
A farewell party was afterwards given to our lady 
friends, at which there was dancing and other 
pleasures suitable to the occasion in the society of 
those it had been our good fortune during the past 
two months to have met frequently at similar 
entertainments on shore. 
It passed off well, and gave great satisfaction to 
