122 THE FAUNA OF THE DEEP SEA 



It seems to be very probable that some day, when 

 the right place and depth are discovered, Spirula 

 may be discovered in great abundance, but we have 

 at present no means of judging whether this will be 

 in very deep water or not. 



Almost precisely similar remarks apply to the 

 distribution of the pearly Nautilus. The shells of 

 this Cephalopod are sometimes found in great number 

 on the shores of some of the islands of the Southern 

 Pacific Ocean and the Malay Archipelago, but the 

 living animal is but rarely captured. It has been 

 asserted by some travellers that the pearly Nautilus 

 floats on the surface of the ocean and possesses the 

 power of suddenly diving to great depths on being 

 disturbed ; but it must be remembered that Rumphius 

 originally caught his Amboyna specimens of Nautilus 

 in traps set at a depth of 'ZOO fathoms baited with 

 sea-urchins, and that the ' Challenger ' captured a 

 single living specimen off Matuku island in 300 

 fathoms. 



The probability, then, is that both Nautilus and 

 Spirula should be included in the deep-sea fauna, but 

 we are still in want of a great deal more information 

 concerning their life and habits before this point can 

 be definitely determined. 



