Page:Polar Exploration - Bruce - 1911.djvu/156

152 considerably to our knowledge of Antarctic invertebrate zoology, and not least of all the fine work done by Mr. T. V. Hodgson, who made the greatest possible use of every opportunity that was given to him. To Hodgson is entirely due the fine invertebrate records the Discovery brought home.

But it was left to the Scotia to carry on more extensively than any other Antarctic expedition has ever done marine biological research, and also to carry on that research in very deep water well south of the Antarctic Circle. Altogether the Scotia dredged 150 times in water varying between 4 and 161 fathoms, and had traps down on 250 days, hauling them up and rebaiting them 200 times. But besides this, the Scotia trawled 18 times in water exceeding 1,000 fathoms, 15 times in water exceeding 1,500 fathoms, 11 times in water exceeding 2,000 fathoms, and 4 times in water exceeding 2,500 fathoms. Most of these trawlings were taken south of 60° S., whilst navigating well within the Polar pack and among bergs. On account of the constant presence of ice the greatest possible vigilance and care was required in handling the trawling gear. Sometimes the trawling cable would catch on a floe, which would add several tons pressure to what the cable had already to bear. On such occasions the great mass of ice might be carried down