WALLICH^ ON MARINE ANIMAL LIFE. 57 



results of former observations of the soundings obtained in 

 the survey of the route for the Great Atlantic Telegraph 

 showed the strong probability^ if not the absolute certainty, 

 that animal life could be maintained at the enormous depth 

 of between four and five miles ; in fact, that the bed of the 

 ocean, throughout a vast tract, was composed of a soft bed, 

 formed of the shells of defunct and living Foraminifera, for 

 the most part Globigerina ; — a fact perfectly in accordance 

 with what might have been concluded from our knowledge 

 of the composition of Chalk, and other similar formations of 

 a more recent date ; as for instance, that Avhich occurs near 

 Oran, in Algeria. But Dr. Wallich's late dredgings, if the 

 term can be used, have shown, that not only can the lowly 

 organized Rhizopod exist far " removed from light of day,'^ 

 and under a pressure of many tons on the square inch, but 

 that creatures of the high type of organization presented in 

 the Echinodermata are also capable of existing at a depth 

 of 1260 fathoms, or in water condensed imder a pressure of 

 about 4000 lbs. on the square inch and what is more mar- 

 vellous still, that animals of that complex structure can bear 

 to be suddenly brought to the surface, without apparent 

 injury. Besides this, " on two occasions, living specimens 

 of Serpula, one from 680 fathoms, and in conj miction with 

 a living Sjnrorbis, other free Annelids and two Amphipod 

 Crustaceans were also taken alive at 445 fathoms.''' 



Here, then, as Dr. Wallich observes, " there is a fresh start- 

 ing-point, in the natural history of the sea. At a depth 

 of two miles below the surface, where the pressure must 

 amount to at least a ton and a half on the square inch — 

 Avhere it is difficult to believe that the most attenuated ray 

 of life can penetrate — we find a highly organized species of 

 radiate animal living, and evidently flourishing ; its red and 

 light pink-coloured tints as clear and brilliant as in its conge- 

 ners inhal)iting the shallow waters, where the sun's rays 

 penetrate freely." 



The circumstances recorded leave no doubt that the 

 Ophiocoma in question, of which numbers were brought up, 

 must have resided at the depth mentioned; and this fact 

 might be concluded even from the contents of its stomach, 

 which consisted of Globigerina shells, more or less com- 

 pletely freed of their soft contents. 



The little brochure contains many other highly interesting 

 observations, and especially some having reference to the 

 value of microscopic soundings in the determination of the 

 course, &c., of oceanic currents — a subject which had at- 

 tracted the attention of the late lamented Professor Bailey, 



VOL. I — NEW SER. E 



