PROTO-BATHYSPHERES 57 



written, and (if need were) printed here likewise. Severall 

 Colonies may thus inhabit, having their children born 

 and bred up without the knowledg of land, who could 

 not chuse but be amazed with strange conceits upon the 

 discovery of this upper world." 



While we may smile at his optimistic view of future 

 submarine life, yet his ideas contained a number of to- 

 be-fulfilled prophecies, such as the blowing up of enemy 

 navies, and my heart warms especially to him because he 

 was the first to suggest the possibility of studying the 

 "nature and kinds of fishes." 



In the eighteenth century we find many accounts of 

 suits and bells, some of them working amazingly well. 

 Halley in 171 6 combined the two, bringing the bell part 

 especially to a high degree of efficiency, considering the 

 total lack of knowledge of rubber and of air-compressing 

 pumps. His bell (Fig. 13) was large, built tightly of wood, 

 with a large window at the upper end and a cock to let 

 out the foul air on occasion. Fresh air was constantly sup- 

 plied by two barrels, which descended alternately, filled 

 with air which was liberated inside the bell. The communi- 

 cation pipe between barrel and bell was "a Leathern Hose, 

 well liquored with Bees-Wax and Oyl. ... So soon as 

 the Air of the one Barrel had been received, upon a signal 

 given, That was drawn up, and at the same time the Other 

 descended, and by an alternate Succession furnished Air 

 so quick, and in so great Plenty, that I myself have been 

 One of Five who have been together at the Bottom, in 



