THE KERGUELEN ISLES 
229 
Latterly, different scientific expeditions have sought 
out the islands and have gained more accurate know¬ 
ledge of their nature. The “ Challenger ” touched at the 
Kerguelen Isles in 1873; in 1874—5 three expeditions 
appeared for the observation of the Transit of Venus, 
among which we may particularize especially the Ger¬ 
man ^'Gazelle Expedition” under Commandant von 
Schleinitz. Its publications have materially enriched our 
knowledge of Kerguelen Isles. Stores of provisions were 
deposited at the same time. 
Later on, the French Government sent the steamer 
