128 ANNUAL KECORD OF SCIENCE AND INDUSTRY. 



era, that artificial division should not disappear entirely, and 

 be merged in the quaternary, and the tertiaries be restricted 

 to the eocene, miocene, and oligocene. 



In the course of a subsequent communication, Mr. Jeffries 

 described a living Pentacrinus obtained on the same cruise. 

 The base of this was free, although imbedded in the mud. 

 The animal is interesting, as being the first and only instance 

 of a European species of this genus, which forms so impor- 

 tant a link in the Q-eolooieal chain, and connects the mezoraic 

 period with the present epoch. 



EXPLORATIONS OF THE POMMEEANIA IN THE BALTIC. 



The German surveying ship Pommerania returned from her 

 cruise in the Baltic in August last, having been occupied dur- 

 ing the summer in making soundings of the sea bottom, in 

 dredging, and in noting the temperature of the water at dif- 

 ferent depths. The greatest depth between Gothland and 

 Windau was found to be 720 feet, being less than previously 

 estimated. At a depth of from GOO to 720 feet, at the latter 

 end of July, the temperature was only 33 to 36.5 Fahren- 

 heit. No marine plants were met with in this cold area, and 

 only a few annelids were dredged up. Life was very abun- 

 dant to* the depth of about 300 feet, while plants were sel- 

 dom found at a depth of more than 30 feet. 12 A, Septem- 

 ber 21, 1871, 417. 



EXPLORATIONS OF GEANDIDIER IN MADAGASCAR. 



Few geographical researches of modern times have been 

 more interesting than those carried on in Madagascar by 

 M. A. Grandidier, whether we consider our previous ignorance 

 of the region in question or the number of striking and im- 

 portant scientific novelties brought to light. AVe have al- 

 ready referred to the return of this gentleman from his third 

 expedition, the first having been commenced in 1865. On 

 this occasion he attempted to reach the heart of the island, 

 but in vain ; and in the following year he explored the south- 

 ern region, but did not reach the mountains. In 1869-70, 

 however, he traversed the entire length of the island three 

 times, from west to east, through its whole extent, making 

 various lateral excursions to interesting points, and visiting 

 the peak of the mountain Ankaararatre, the highest summit 



