306 MEMOKANDA. 



shells of the Polycistinece. Among the latter I have noticed 

 Cornutella clathrata, Ehr., a form occurring frequently in the 

 Atlantic soundings. I have also noticed in all the soundings 

 (and shall hereafter describe and figure) several species of 

 Eucyrtidium, Halicalyptra^ Perichlamidium, Stylodictya^ and 

 many others. 



6th. I have not been able to detect even a fragment of any 

 of the calcareous shells of the Polythalamia. This is remark- 

 able for the striking contrast it presents to the deep soundings 

 of the Atlantic, which are chiefly made up of the calcareous 

 forms. This difference cannot be due to temperature, as it is 

 well known that Polythalamia are abundant in the Arctic seas. 



7th. These deposits of microscopic organisms, in their 

 richness, extent, and the high latitudes at which they occur, 

 resemble those of the Antarctic regions, whose existence has 

 been proved by Ehrenberg ; and the occurrence of these 

 northern soundings of Asteromphalus and Chcetoceros, is another 

 striking point of resemblance. These genera, however, are not 

 exclusively polar forms, but, as I have recently determined, 

 occur also in the Gulf of Mexico and along the Gulf Stream. 



8th. Tlie perfect condition of the organisms in these sound- 

 ings, and the fact that some of them retain their soft portions, 

 indicate that they were very recently in a living condition, 

 but it does not follow that they were living when collected at 

 such immense depths. As among them are forms which are 

 known to live along the shores as parasites upon Algce, &c,, it 

 is certain that a portion at least have been carried by oceanic 

 currents, by drift ice, by animals which feed upon them, or 

 by other agents, to their present position. It is hence proba- 

 ble that all were removed from shallower waters in which they 

 once lived. These forms are so minute, and would float so 

 far when buoyed up by gases evolved during decomposition, 

 that there would be nothing surprising in finding them in 

 any part of the ocean, even if they were not transported (as it 

 is certain they sometimes are) by other agents. 



9th. In conclusion, it is to be hoped that the example set 

 by Lieut. Brooke will be followed by others, and that in all 

 attempts to obtain deep soundings the effort will be made to 

 bi'ing up a portion of the bottom. The soundings from any 

 part of the ocean are sure to yield something of interest to 

 microscopic analysis, and it is as yet impossible to tell what 

 important results may flow from this study. 



The above is only a preliminary notice of the soundings 

 referred to. I shall proceed without delay to describe and 

 figure the highly interesting and novel forms which I have 

 detected, and I hope soon to have them ready for publication. 

 — J. W. Bailey, American Journal of Science and Art, 1856. 



