New-York tribune., 1874-06-11
TIE TRANSIT EXPEDITION.

PREPARATIONS FOR INVESTIGATIONS IN GEOLOGY AND
NATURAL HIsToRY-A COMPETENT NATURALIST
SENT oUr-pRoJEcrED RESEARCHES IN KERGUE-
LEN AND CRoZET ISLANDS.
The expedition that has just left our shores for
some of the most distant points the globe, carry
ing thither the astronomical parties who are to OBJ
serve the phenomena Of the transit OF Venus, natu-
rally attracts high degree Of interest The puDic
has heard for months of the preparations Tor tnis
expedition; and THE TRIBUNE of May 10 contained
full account of the arrangements contemplated
not only by own Government, but by those OF
foreign nations.
In connection with the English parties, partlcu-
larly ii is well known that has been taken also
70 provide facilities for study geology and natural
history While the prime object Of the Transit par
ties ia astronomical observation, yet the opportnni-
ties afforded for research in these other departments
are very valuable and important, as the points Wis
tied are remote and unusual and possess in some re-
specs peculiar geological interest. 1t is not so well
known that the American expedition has also taken
out an earnest and well-qualified naturalist, ana
that there is good prospect of securing valuable
scientific results in this department. as well as LII the
matter of observations
More than year ago. this subject of providing IA
cilites for geological botanical, and geological in
yestigaton was brought forward in one of the meet
ings of the Lyceum of Natural History in this city,
Its Importance strongly presented, and the feel
ing of the society was unanimous in regard to 1t.
The proposal was made that the Lyceum, and per-
haps the scientific societies of the country generally.
| should memorialize the authorities at Washington
in respect to the matter. Acting this suggestion
| committee was appointed to take the matter in
charge This committee drew up memorial to Sec
retary Robeson which was signed bv Dr. Newberry
of the Columbia College School OF Mines, President
| of the Lyceum, and Prof d. s. Martin OF Rutgers
| Female College for the committee. The Phuadel-
| phla Academy of Sciences and the Maryland
| Academy at Baltimore also took similar action.
The Navy Department, although ready to CO.
operate in every way for the interests OF science,
was unable to add civilian naturaists to the already
| crowded party. They met the object aimed at how
ever, by the appointment, Assistant Surgeon, OF
gentleman well qualified by scientific tastes and
studies, Dr. j. ii. Kidder The stations at which the
Doctor will spend most of his time shore, will be
those of Kerguelen's Land and the Crozet Islands.
The scientific interest attaching to these distant and
isolated bits of land is very great, as there are many
| grounds for believing that they represent remains
of great Antarctic Continent. sunk beneath
the Southern waters, and hence their fauna and
fora have q very peculiar significance in the study
| of the geographical distribution of organic life.
| Dr. Kidder has had the advice and aid of many OF
the best naturalsts in the country, such as Prof
Baird of the Smithsonian Institution, DIR. Elliott
| Coues Count Pourtaes of Cambridge and Others.
He goes ont with an excellent and liberal supply of
instruments and apparatus for making collections,
and is full of hope and enthusiasm. Other gentle
men, also connected with of the station parties
in New-Zealand and Tasmania. will be able, 1t is
hoped, to find opportunity for similar study. Two
of these, Messrs. Russell and Waldo, are recent
students of the School of Mines the former also a
graduate of the University of this city.
This important action, which promises much to
science is largely due to the energetic efforts of the
| New-York Lyceum of Natural History, and to the
cooperation of other scientific bodies, undertaken
at its invitation.