Page:Polar Exploration - Bruce - 1911.djvu/160

156 equalling, but scarcely surpassing it—and this one, on account of the greater depth and high southern latitude in which it was taken, is certainly by far the most important we have had. Two very large-stalked sponges, both new species (Caulophacus scotiæ and Malacosaccus coatsi), besides two others, three or four very large purple holothurians, a quantity of brilliant red crustacea, probably Crangon, two species of isopods, five or six chætopods, three or four gasteropods, two masked with anemones,—a large number of very hard and large sea-anemones of a pale-greyish and lavender colour, about three species of brittle stars, five species of fish including one of a beautiful blue and delicate grey-lavender colour, and one of which we only secured the head, which was remarkable for its crocodilian appearance, with its long and toothed jaw,—some ctenophores, and jelly-fish, not in good condition,—bryozoa and probably sertularians and alcyonarians,—altogether fully sixty species; specimens which, for their striking variety of colour and form as well as from their large number, could not fail to strike the most casual and least interested individual. Yet ignorant people tell you there is no life in the Antarctic!"

As an example of disappointment it may be mentioned that on the following day, in a depth of 1,221 fathoms, the trawl was lowered,