Page:Physical Geography of the Sea and its Meteorology.djvu/355

Rh 615. A discovery suggested by it.—Having thus discovered that the most frail and delicate organisms of the sea can remain in its depths for an indefinite length of time without showing a single trace of decay, we find ourselves possessed of a fact which "In reference to the question of permanent life in these most recent deep-sea materials, it may be observed, that the forms which we find are astonishingly well preserved, and in very large proportion, sometimes forming the principal mass of the earthy bottom.

"The striking fact, moreover, that every one who has the opportunity to compare accurately the microscopic forms of the whole land and sea under great variety of circumstance does, out of even the smallest specimens of the bottom, deduce so much that is new and peculiar to him, is no light testimony to show that the depth is not merely a collection of rubbish of the dead surface-like, however much there must be of fragments which naturally and undoubtedly deposit themselves there. I have considered this final remark necessary, because the distinguished Sea-knower in Washington, often so kindly supplying and instructing me with material, has recently, in a report on Sub-oceanic Geography, New York, January 8, 1857, page 5, and yet more in detail in a late private letter, expressed a view opposite to that here laid down by me, in which however, I cannot coincide, for the reasons given above."

As these sheets are passing through the press (Nov. 22, 1860), a copy of Dr. Wallach's " Notes on the Presence of Animal Life in Vast Depths of the Sea," dated "Off Rockall, Nov. 8, 1860," has been placed in my hands. From this interesting monograph it appears that Captain Sir Leopold M'Clintock, during his recent survey, in H. M. steamer the "Bulldog," of the telegraphic route viâ Greenland, brought up living star-fish, adhering to the deep-sea line.

"In sounding," says the doctor, p. 22, "not quite midway between Cape Farewell and Rockall, in 126 fathoms, whilst the sounding apparatus brought up an ample specimen of coarse gritty-looking matter, consisting of about 95 per cent, of clean Globigerina-shells, a nmnber of star-fishes, belonging to the genus Ophiocoma, came up, adherent to the lowest 50 fathoms of the deep-sea line employed."

These star-fishes were alive. They continued to move about for upwards of a quarter of an hour. The "red and light-pink coloured tints" being as clear and brilliant, says the doctor, as seen in their congeners inhabiting its shallow waters where the sun's rays penetrate freely.

One of the animals was dissected, which was found to differ in no respect (p. 23), as regards internal anatomy, from the species inhabiting shallow water. He found in the alimentary cavity numerous Globigerina-shells, more or less completely freed of their soft contents.

These contents, and the bringing up of these living specimens, is held by the "biotics" to be proof conclusive as to the existence of animal life in the depths of the sea.

So far from settling the question, these star-fishes leave it, I submit, exactly as it was before. They were not brought up by the arming of the lead. They were adhering to the line by their own volition. They might have taken hold of the line near the surface as well as near the bottom. It is difficult, it is true,