72 
I have given my arguments for the fitness of the Kei Islands, 
as a place for a laboratory such as the one planned, at some length, 
in the hope that, in case — as is, unfortunally, most likely — it 
proves impossible to have the plan realized under the present ab¬ 
normal financial circumstances, it may be realized some day in 
the future, when circumstances will be normal again. That it 
would be of the greatest benefit to science I feel ardently convinced. 
III. Banda. 
Researches on the marine fauna of Banda were previously made 
by the “Challenger” and the “Siboga”, each of these great Expe- 
ditions spending a few days here. The “Challenger”, during a 
four days’ visit (29/IX—2/X 1874) made dredgings in a depth of 17 
fathoms between the islands, but otherwise mainly made collections 
(especially of corals and Comatulids) on the reef. (Also a dredg- 
ing was made outside the East end of Lontor (Station 194 and 
194 a), in 200—360 fathoms, but with no striking results). The 
“Siboga” dredged between Neira and Lontor in 9—45 Meters depth 
(Station 240) and found there a rich fauna, mainly of Molluscs; 
but especially the reefs are stated to be very rich. The late director 
of the Department of Marine Biology of the Carnegie Institution, 
Washington, Dr. A. G. May or, having also called my attention to 
the Banda Islands, and especially to their rich coral reefs, it was 
naturally with no small expectations that I arrived at Banda with 
the view of undertaking researches there for about a month’s time. 
From Professor Max Weber I had an introduction to Mr. Sech 
Said Ba ad i 11a, in the little town of Banda, a rich and prominent 
Arab with a touch of scientific ambition, possessing a small mu¬ 
seum which is open to tourist visitors. Mr. Ba adi 11a, who olfered 
assistance already to the “Siboga” Expedition, received us very 
kindly and left us one of his pearling schooners with diving appa- 
ratus and a trained crew on very profitable terms. I wish here to 
express my very sincere thanks to Mr. Ba ad i 11a for his most 
valuable and kind assistance. 
The researches at Banda were confined to the shallower waters 
between the islands Neira, Lontor (or Lonthoir) and Goenoeng 
Api, as I had sent back directly from the Kei Islands my big winch 
with the long wire (1200 Meters), keeping with me for the re- 
