CHAP. XXIV. DEPTH OF THE GREAT BAXK. 65 



On its north-west limit tlie fall is from tliirty-five to 

 seventy-five fathoms. The area of this great bank shghtly 

 exceeds that of the island of Newfoundland. It is shaped 

 like a trmicated triangle, with broad but not deep bays. 

 In it there are two main depressions, one near its northern 

 extremity seventy-eight fathoms deep, and another and 

 tlie larger one called Wliale Deep at its western end, in 

 which a depth of sixty-eight fathoms is found, with a 

 bottom of stinking mud. The general surface of the 

 great bank is very uniform, and composed almost entirely 

 of fine sand. Here and there, particularly oiT the coast 

 of Newfoundland, pebbles are mixed with sand, and 

 sometimes mud is brought up by the lead. 



VOL. II. 



