Page:The aquarium - an unveiling of the wonders of the deep sea.djvu/18

Rh ago, to the effect that an eminent French zoologist, in order to prosecute his studies on the marine animals of the Mediterranean, had provided himself with a water-tight dress, suitable spectacles, and a breathing tube; so that he might walk on the bottom in a considerable depth of water, and mark the habits of the various creatures pursuing their avocations.

Whether a scheme so elaborate was really attempted I know not; but I should anticipate feeble results from it. The, however, bids fair to supply the required opportunities, and to make us acquainted with the strange creatures of the sea, without diving to gaze on them. In this volume I offer to the world a small earnest, just the first fruits, of what may be looked for, in increased knowledge of natural history, from this invention.

In some respects the present Volume may be considered as a sequel and continuation of my "Rambles on the Devonshire Coast;" inasmuch as it is conversant with similar objects, and as I have made it assume somewhat of the form of a personal narrative; sufficient, at least, to constitute a link of connexion between myself and my reader, not only in the things described, but also in the feelings they excite in my own mind.

But the subjects of the present work are principally deep-sea animals, as those of the former were chiefly littoral; and even where the sphere of observation is the same, the observations themselves are quite distinct, and have to do with different creatures. A certain degree of family likeness must prevail in all out-of-door natural history; but so vast, and almost illimitable, is the field of labour, that industry and faithfulness will always be rewarded by fresh and interesting results.

The following pages embrace a brief History of the Marine Aquarium, as an application of scientific principles