CHAP. VI.] DEEP-SEA DREDGING. 273 
known species, came up in such a condition as to 
leave no room for doubt that it had been broken 
off the rock or stone to which it was adherent by 
the sounding-machine, and that the animal was 
living; whilst a smaller Serpwla and a cluster of 
apparently living polyzoa were adherent to its ex- 
ternal surface. A minute Spirordis also occurred in 
this sounding. Lastly, from a depth of 445 fathoms, 
within a short distance of the south coast of Iceland, 
a couple of living amphipod crustaceans were ob- 
tained, and a filamentous annelid about three-quarters 
of an inch in length.” Basing his opinion principally 
upon these facts, Dr. Wallich, in conclusion, submits 
several propositions, the two most important of which 
may be said to anticipate the more remarkable results 
of our subsequent work. As the others are merely 
founded upon what I conceive to be a mistaken 
determination of the animal species captured, I need 
not now quote them.’ 
“J. The conditions prevailing at great depths, 
although differing materially from those which pre- 
vail at the surface of the ocean, are not incompatible 
with the maintenance of animal life. 
* * * * * * * 
«5. The discovery of even a single species, living 
normally at great depths, warrants the inference that 
the deep sea has its own special fauna, and that it has 
always had it in ages past; and hence that many 
fossiliferous strata heretofore regarded as having been 
1 And see Professor Sars’ ‘Bemerkninger over det dyriske Livs 
Udbredning i Havets Dybder, med serligt Hensyn til et af. Dr. 
Wallich i London mylig udkommet Skrift, “The North Atlantic Sea- 
bed.”’ (Vidensk.-Selsk. Forhandlinger for 1864.) 
ik 
