320 NATURAL SCIENCE. May, 1895. 



vapour in the atmosphere and the greater mass of the atmosphere." 

 He proceeds : " The pelagic algae, radiolaria, and foraminifera above 

 referred to are probably the but slightly modified descendants of a 

 very ancient, universal, pelagic fauna and flora. Life, in its simplest 

 form, most likely first appeared in pre-Cambrian times in the detrital 

 matters laid down about the mud-line, when the mud-line generally 

 was not so deep, and the land surfaces were more extensive than at 

 the present time. From these simple forms, which would occasionally 

 be carried into the superincumbent waters, the pelagic protophyta 

 and protozoa, which peopled the surface-waters of the pre-Cambrian 

 ocean, were most probably derived." It is impossible here, as I have 

 said, to give even the merest glance at the facts and arguments cited 

 in support of these hypotheses. I believe I am right in saying that 

 Dr. Murray arrived independently at the view ascribed by him to 

 Blandet, and that his discovery of Blandet's priority was made after 

 the idea had shaped itself in his mind, though he puts forward no 

 claim to it here. It is, however, one that will meet with criticism 

 and discussion — a discussion that cannot fail to help on the process of 

 digesting farther the great granary of facts preserved in this volume. 



There follows a gigantic index of the genera, sub-genera, species, 

 and varieties, which serves also as an index to the species procured 

 by the " Challenger," described and referred to in the Reports, since 

 on looking up the pages in the station lists the reader will find 

 references to the parts in which the species are fully described. There 

 is also a general index to the summary. 



As appendices there are printed the Report on Spirilla, by 

 Mr. Huxley and Professor Pelseneer, with Mr. Huxley's beautiful 

 drawings, and the report by Mr. Buchan on "Oceanic Circulation," 

 illustrated with sixteen double-page maps. Perhaps Mr. H. N. 

 Dickson, or some other competent authority, will give us a brief account 

 of this splendid monument of Mr. Buchan's labour and research. No- 

 student of the present distribution of organisms can dispense with 

 this great memoir, but all should learn in brief its main teaching. 



It is difficult to refrain from extending to Dr. John Murray 

 personal congratulations on the completion of this great labour of 

 editing and of writing the " Challenger " Reports. From his brief 

 editorial notes prefixed to the present volume the reader will learn 

 the kind of obstacles he has had to surmount. All naturalists now 

 know of the perseverance and brilliant success of his great achieve- 

 ment. This has been rewarded mostly by the recognition of foreign 

 academies. The fountains of honour in this country will, it is to be 

 noped for their own credit, now begin to flow towards the editor (after 

 the lamented death of Sir Wyville Thomson) of the " Challenger " 

 Reports, the author of some of the finest work embodied in them, one 

 of the most indefatigable of the naturalists who sailed on the 



memorable voyage. 



George Murray. 



