200 PROCEEDINGS OF THE 



for wliich I am indebted to the kindness of Professor Young ; and 

 those of another, from my friend Mr Dugald Bell, procured from 

 soundings taken by Captain White off Mocha, in 22 fathoms water, 

 on their way to India ; and the contents of another parcel, from 

 Mr D. 0. Glen, from the Brazilian coast. In all these cases the 

 quantity of material is small, yet they all reveal the remains of 

 abundant life, which not only represent Microzoa, but the remains 

 of larger forms, as plates and spines of Echinoderms, otolites of 

 fish, spicules of sponges, etc., and give unmistakable proof of the 

 presence of such forms in these localities, and often of the 

 particular species to which they belong. Although in these 

 instances only a small number of species of those that inhabit a 

 particular region may have been secured, yet we may be sure that 

 we have a portion of the prevailing forms which at all times give 

 character to the locality. 



In most cases Foraminifera predominate over Ostracoda, and 

 more so in the greater depths of water. But in the sample from 

 the Brazilian coast, sent by Mr Glen, one species of an Ostracod is 

 in great abundance, while scarcely another organism is seen. 

 Such facts come to be of great importance, when the results from 

 different parts of the sea bottom, at the same or different depths, 

 can be compared ; and although small gatherings seldom fail to 

 be of interest, and often of much scientific value, it will be 

 understood that larger gatherings will be of more than propor- 

 tionate value when they can be had. 



There has at all times been no lack of voyagers bringing home 

 novelties from distant countries, and often at great trouble to them- 

 selves. There are many who, doubtless, would have a pleasure in 

 helping science, were it better known what particular kind of objects 

 or material are wanted. There is generally a tendency in those 

 collecting for others to give most attention to things that please 

 the eye. In a scientific point of view, this is not at all times 

 necessary, as every group of animal life is invested with a history 

 brimful of interest, and the chances of a prize, in most cases, are 

 greater among the obscure forms than among those that are more 

 conspicuous. In regard to material for the microscope, beauty or 

 pleasant appearance does not come into account. It may be the 

 black slimy mud from the sea-shore, or margin of a lagoon, or 

 from the bottom of the sea, attached to the grease of the sounding- 

 lead, or brought up on the fluke of an anchor. All of these may 



