BATHYSPHERE DIVE THIRTY-FIVE 255 



Word came from above that the guys had been shifted 

 and that we were ready to go down whenever we wanted. 

 We read all of the instruments and checked the door and 

 stuffing-box. With everything in order, the Director gave 

 the command to lower away. 



From here on down we were glued to the windows, the 

 Director at half of the central and I with my choice of 

 half the central or all of the right hand one, trying to ab- 

 sorb and retain as much as possible of what went on be- 

 yond the quartz lenses. On the way down the after effects 

 of the brilliant sunlight above told on our eyes, and we 

 were not able to see as clearly as we were later on, when 

 our eyes became dark-adapted. Nevertheless, beyond the 

 window and before our eyes, went on the ceaseless flow 

 of animal life — minute flecks and darts of paleness, and oc- 

 casional larger organisms. 



I was constantly aware that my journey under-sea was 

 enhanced tenfold by my going down with the Director, 

 for his ability to recognize what we saw was demonstrated 

 to a marvelous extent during this bathysphere descent. 

 Years ago in the jungle I had given up questioning his 

 observations — I had been along on too many stalks where a 

 single hurried glance at a vanishing bird or insect would 

 produce an intelligible estimate of size, pattern, and color, 

 which in a few minutes or days would be verified by the 

 specimen itself, hunted and captured and brought to the 

 laboratory. 



And here below, in the bathysphere, far from the great 



