INDUSTRIAL PROGRESS DURING THE YEAR 1871. lxxix 



New Caledonia, New Guinea, Macassar Strait, Manilla, Cel- 

 ebes, and other islands, which would probably occupy the 

 rest of the year 1874. The doubtful islands of the South Pa- 

 cific were then to be looked up, New Ireland and the Solo- 

 mon and Pelew Islands visited, and finally Japan reached by 

 March, 1875. From Japan a passage was to be made across 

 to Vancouver's Island, and thence to Valparaiso, by the end 

 of 1875 ; and, after passing through the Strait of Magellan, 

 and visiting the Falkland Islands, the vessel was to return 

 home by way of the Ascension Islands by the middle of the 

 year 1876. How far this programme will be interfered with 

 by the reported appointment of Captain Nares to the charge 

 of the new British Polar expedition remains to be ascer- 

 tained. When last heard from (November 15) the vessel 

 was at Hong-Kong, having visited the Fijis. 



As usual, the track of the Challenger has been accompanied 

 by interesting discoveries in physical and natural science, 

 numerous new species of animals and plants having been col- 

 lected, and noteworthy facts ascertained in regard to. the 

 physics of the sea. An important generalization has even 

 been made in regard to the geological condition of the earth, 

 and the formation of sedimentary strata. Among those of 

 the highest importance may be mentioned the explanation of 

 the gradual passage of the chalky ooze abounding in shells 

 and other calciferous matter into a uniform homogeneous red 

 mud, with little or no trace of calciferous life, the former con- 

 dition occurring down to a depth of about 1500 fathoms, or 

 along the ridges of the sea-bottom, and the latter represent- 

 ing the much lower levels between them. In the opinion of 

 Sir William Thomson, this is due to the fact, as shown by ob- 

 servation, that the deeper strata are very rich in carbonic 

 acid, this forming more than one third of the gaseous com- 

 ponent of the water. This composition, together with the 

 very great pressure exercised, causes a rapid solution of car- 

 bonate of lime, leaving only the other constituents. This has 

 its counterpart in various well-known terrestrial strata, where 

 a limestone abounding in shells, etc., passes insensibly into a 

 slate entirely free from well-marked organic remains, except- 

 ing those originally of siliceous or membranous character. 

 It is difficult to exaggerate the value of such observations in 

 their geological relationships. 



