l6o AT THE END OF THE SPECTRUM 



instruments and flashlight in an open pouch slung around 

 my neck. Everything else possible was in breast pockets, 

 and all other things had to be held up or searched for 

 when needed among the saws, hammer, wrenches, safety 

 nuts, drying cloths, spare oxygen tank, and keys which lay 

 in a mass at the bottom. I braced my feet and knees against 

 whatever afforded resistance and leaned sideways against 

 a flat cushion which brought my eyes on a level with the 

 center of the window. Barton was braced against the door, 

 with his pharaphernalia about him and by twisting from 

 side to side could examine the searchlight, the stuffing box, 

 oxygen tank, the door itself and command the second 

 window. 



I found that a sort of conscious sensing of our increas- 

 ing depth was absolutely necessary. Piccard doubtless had 

 in view the gradually distancing earth, but we had noth- 

 ing but a slow darkening to indicate that we were descend- 

 ing. The cable was payed out so slowly and evenly that 

 we had no sense of movement, either up or down. For ex- 

 ample, at 275 feet it was with an effort that I mentioned 

 such a common sight as an aurelia sun-jelly, until I real- 

 ized that the record of one at this depth was a valuable 

 and hitherto unknown fact. One of the most difficult 

 things above ground is to recall the first or the last of the 

 season's song of a bird or a cricket, because of the usual- 

 ness of the reiterated sound, and in my bathysphere I had 

 to repeat to myself over and over, "Look out for the first 

 lights!" as well as to Miss Hollister to send reminders now 



