DEEP-SEA EXPLORATION. 
343 
and down by means of the milled heads at k, to ascertain if the screw threads work 
freely and the shafts move on their bearings without undue friction. 
The propellers should then be moved outward until they clear the supporting 
screws, where they will revolve freely during the descent without moving the shafts or 
in any way affecting the valves. The shafts should then be screwed inward a little to 
allow free connection with the valve stems 1. 
The cylinder may now be placed in the frame h, the valve stems I connected Avith 
the shafts /;, and the cylinder secured in place by the clamps u and the ]iius r. The 
valves should then be opened inward to their full extent by means of the milled head 
at k. Secure the bottle to the rope by the clamps c, with the expansion chamber 
pointing upward, and it will be in readiness for use. 
To obtain a fipeeimen of icafer, the dredge rope is used, haviiig a sinker Aveighing 
150 pounds. The apparatus being clamped to the rope a few fathoms above the 
sinker, lower away as rapidly as desired to the intended depth, and in case of 
tem])erature instruments not having been sent down, reel in at once. 
The propellers noAV being brought into action soon close the valves. 
The internal pressure which takes place as the apparatus ascends is relieved by 
the expansion chamber d. As soon as the bottle reaches the surface the valves are 
keyed to their seats through slots in the valve stems 1. The cylinder is then removed 
from the frame and stowed in some cool place in a vertical position until such time as 
it can be delivered to the laboratory. 
A vertical position is recommended in order to retain water on both sides of the 
piston in the expansion chamber to avoid possible drying and shrinkage of the packing. 
Taking care of the bottle. — The water specimen having been procured and tlie 
cylinder removed, rinse the frame in fresh water and Avipe it dry. Remove the set 
screws q and the shafts 7(, wipe them dry, and put a little oil on the screAv threads. 
Unscrew the sleeves i from the hubs of the propellers, wipe them dry inside and 
out, and oil them; wipe the propellers dry also and oil the inside of the hubs. Oil 
should be used sparingly, taking care that it does not drip into the cylinder. 
Having cleaned and oiled the parts, put them together and stow the frame in its 
packing box, which should be kept in a dry place. 
As soon as the specimen has been removed from the bottle the latter should be 
rinsed in fresh water, the valve seats unscrewed, and the cylinder Avith its attachments 
carefully cleaned and dried as directed in its preparation for use. After the parts are 
put together clamp the bottle iu the frame. Oil should never be used on the cylinder 
or its attachments. 
This Avater bottle was devised by Dr. J. H. Kidder, of the United States Fish 
Commission ; Surgeon J. M. Flint, U. S. K., attached to the A/5rtbv>,ss, and the Avriter. It 
is an elaboration of the Sigsbee Avater-specimeu cup, carefully and strongly constructed, 
and, while it has successfully Avithstood an internal pressure of 150 lAounds per square 
inch, there are still some mechanical imperfections to be remedied befoi'e it Avill be 
considered entirely satisfactory. It was tirst used on board the Albatross in 1884. 
