216 ANNUAL RECOKD OF SCIENCE AND INDUSTRY. 



The dredge rope used was about the thickness of a man's 

 thumb. 



As far as temperatures were concerned, that of the deepest 

 part of the gulf, with a surface temperature of 12^ Fahr., 

 was not below 59 to 50 Fahr. Very little was observed 

 in the way of currents, especially below one or two hundred 

 fathoms. The deep waters of the Adriatic were found to be 

 very poor in the higher forms of life, mainly, perhaps, in con- 

 sequence of the absence of such currents as affect the deeper 

 portions of the sea. 



One of the most important results of the researches on 

 board the Trieste was the discovery q{ Bathyhius mud at a 

 depth of from fifty fathoms downward. This was detected 

 by its yellowish-gray color and its characteristic greasy nat- 

 ure, and in this were found a great variety of foraminifera, 

 but almost nothing of the higher forms of life. 



Dr. Schmidt was enabled, in consequence of his researches, 

 to determine many interesting facts in regard to Batliyhius 

 and its associates, and to fix with greater precision than before 

 their true nature. Amono^ other results of his observations 

 he was led to the conclusion that the coccoliths are independ- 

 ent living creatures, and not related at all to Batliyhius^ 

 excepting in the way of association. A second organism, 

 which he calls Bliabdolitlius^ was met with, very closely re- 

 sembling the coccoliths, and which tends to prove more satis- 

 factorily the distinction between Batliyhius and the cocco- 

 liths. The orioin and sig-nificance of these obiects are still 

 far from being explained, but he is not willing to admit that 

 the ^a((^y/^^^^s protoplasm is the residue of other low organ- 

 ized creatures. Nor is it protiston or moneron, in the common 

 acceptation of those terms, according to which all these sim- 

 plest organisms have a limitation in space and a development. 

 A living creature of unlimited extension is so contrary to our 

 present notions of life and organization that our conceptions 

 and ideas must first adapt themselves to it. 10 A^ JSfovemher, 

 1872,359. 



EXPLORATIONS IN THE GULF OF ST. LAWRENCE IN 1872. 



The results of the explorations in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, 

 prosecuted during the months of July and August, 1872, by 

 Messrs. Whiteaves and Bulger, have just been published, in 



