100 ON KOCK REMAINS IN THE BED OF THE ENGLISH CHANNEL. 



haul the arrangement of the gear was modified,* and as the result 

 of a tliird attempt the dredge came up three parts full of stones. The 

 contents of this haul were of so great interest that it was decided to 

 investigate the subject further, and so far as was possible without 

 unduly interfering with the faunistic work, the most careful attention 

 was given during the subsequent cruises to tracing the extent of 

 these stones and estimating the conditions associated with their 

 occurrence. 



In the third cruise, commencing on June 14th, the course was 

 accordingly set to the position where they had been encountered. 

 The stones were found again without difficulty, and were followed at 

 close intervals during this cruise over a considerable area Sub- 

 sequently their inner limit was observed at points adjacent to the 

 base-line of the work at some 15 miles outside the Eddystone. Beyond 

 this their extent was still unknown, and much time was therefore 

 occupied at first by short runs about the 20-mile point, which will 

 explain the large number of positions shown on the chart in this 

 region. Finally, from Position (37), S. 41° W,, 17 miles, a test run of 

 12 miles was made in a south-westerly direction. The casting of the 

 dredge at 6 and 12 miles showed rough ground at both points, one 

 of the dredges being so bent out of shape as to be rendered tem- 

 porarily useless. After this the work was extended on broader lines 

 to the southward. 



Some general points in connection with the stones will now be 

 considered from evidence afforded in the course of the work. The 

 extent of the area covered by the cruises is shown in the accompany- 

 ing chart (Plate V), where the positions plotted are all of them 

 directly concerned with the stones collected. All bearings and dis- 

 tances are reduced to the Eddystone Lighthouse. The work was done 

 entirely by log and compass, no sextant observations being taken. 

 At the same time much care was taken throughout with a view 

 to securing as close a degree of accuracy as by dead reckoning 

 was possible, and the positions given may be regarded as nearly 

 accurate. 



(1) Extent of Exposure. — The inner limit of the stones, as previously 

 mentioned, was traced by two or three samples at about 15 miles out- 

 side the Eddystone. Here only a very few small stones were found, 

 mingled with the sand and shell deposit which covers the sea- 

 bottom. Inside this point, that is to say, between 8 and 15 miles 



* That is to say, liy attaching a heavy sounding-lead to the hemp warp employed, 

 a few feet in front of the dredge. From this point the hemp warp was dispensed with, 

 and a wire rope substituted for it in all dredgings. 



