CONTINUED VOYAGE OF THE TWO SIIU'S. 53 



bird world they were compelled now to descend to lovver 

 creatures ; and if unfavourable circumstances did not 

 allow tliem to use the drag-net to bring subjects from 

 the depths of the sea, still much that was interesting 

 was to be found on the surface. Dr. Pansch constructed 

 a bag-shaped net out of some gauze, and through the 

 circular opening passed two long, narrow boards, so that 

 when put into the water, one half was under and one 

 above ; this net was fastened to the hind part of the ship 

 on the lee-side, and as we sailed slowly forwards, took 

 in every creature lying on the surface. In this manner 

 the calm nights of the 7th and 8th brought us a rich 

 booty; there were the Galanus hyperborceus, small tender 

 creatures with white transparent bodies, articulated red- 

 tipped tails, and long, fine, beautiful red feelers, with 

 which they jerked themselves forward. Next came a 

 number of small yellow red-spotted crabs {Themisto 

 Uhellula, Mandt) with great oval-shaped black eyes, 

 which like the rest of its family, as we had already seen, 

 lay upon their side and swam along the surface in search 

 of food. 



The low side and bulwarks of our vessel made it easy, 

 if we saw a large creature of any kind, to catch it with 

 a long pole-net. The brown-violet fibrous medusee 

 (Gyanea capillata, L.), which we had often seen in th'e 

 North Sea, seemed entirely wanting here. Nevertheless, 

 zoological work in the open air was now decidedly dis- 

 agreeable. For if it was tolerably warm in the evening, 

 towards morning, particularly when a damp fog and cold 

 wind got up, and the warming influence of the evening 

 meal had long since disappeared, it was painfully cold ; 

 but just the night-time was best for catching. And even 



