192 THE DEPTHS OF THE SEA. [cHAP. IV, 
a 
—again a mass of water lying at the bottom, 745 
fathoms—not far from a mile—in depth, at the 
uniform temperature of 12°6C, (54°°7 F-.) 
The dredge was sent down at each successive 
station, but with very poor result; and Dr. Car- 
penter was driven to the conclusion that the bottom 
of the Mediterranean at depths beyond a few hundred 
fathoms is nearly azoic. The conditions are not 
actually inconsistent with the existence of animal 
life, for at most of the stations some few living forms 
were met with, but they are certainly singularly un- 
favourable. Thus at Station 49, at a depth of 1412 
fathoms, and a temperature of 12°7 C., the following 
species of mollusca were obtained : Nucula quadrata, 
n. sp.; NV. pumila, ABSJORNSEN ; Leda, n. sp.; Verti- 
cordia granulata, SEG.; Hela tenella, JEFFREYS ; 
Trochus gemmulatus, Pu.; Rissoa subsoluta, ARADAS ; 
Natica affinis, GMELIN; Trophon multilamellosus, 
Pu.; Nassa prismatica, Br.; Columbella halieti, 
JEFF.; Bucciniwm acuticostatum, Pu.; Pleurotoma 
carinatum, CRISTOFORI and JAN; P. torquatum, PH. ; 
P. decussatum, PH. 
Near the African coast the fauna was more abun- 
dant, but the bottom was so rough that it was unsafe 
to use the dredge, and the tangles were usually sent 
down alone. Many polyzoa, echinoderms, corals, and 
sponges were taken in this way, but they were mostly 
well-known Mediterranean species. After remaining 
for a few days at Tunis and visiting the ruins of 
Carthage, dredging was resumed on the 6th of 
September on the ‘ Adventure’ Bank, so called from 
its having been discovered by Admiral Smyth when 
surveying in H.M.S. ‘Adventure.’ Here, at depths 
