84 Miscellaneous. 



into execution, and time and the primary objects permitting, that 

 a rapid diversion from the proposed longitudinal track should be 

 allowed on the return voyage, with a view to ascertain definitely 

 whether soundings (in the ordinary nautical sense of the term) are 

 to be met with in the region about north latitude 57°, and west 

 longitude 30°, where, as I have endeavoured to show (in my work 

 on the North-Atlantic Sea-bed, recently published), shoal water 

 probably exists. I need hardly state that the discovery of sound- 

 ings yielding from one to two hundred fathoms in such a locality, 

 would be of the greatest value as affording a fresh point of departure 

 for vessels unable, from obstacles of weather, to determine their 

 precise whereabouts. It would also exert a deep significance in con- 

 nexion with the great areas of subsidence in the North Atlantic, 

 and the distribution of the mai'ine and terrestrial fauna of Northern 

 Europe and the North- American continent. 



" I forbear to specify the number of observations of all kinds that 

 might with advantage be made during the proposed voyage ; being 

 convinced that this must in a great measure depend on the informa- 

 tion elicited en route, and that the rate at which the survey 

 progresses should be regulated only by the amount and kind of 

 knowledge obtained at every step. It may, however, be regarded 

 as essential that not less than 300 soundings should be taken, at in- 

 tervals, having due regard to depths already ascertained; and that in 

 order to provide against unforeseen delays and contingencies, at least 

 six months should be allowed for the completion of the enterprise. 



" In submitting my project to the President and Council of the 

 Royal Geographical Society, I am solicitous of directing attention 

 to the results likely to accrue in the several branches of science 

 which relate essentially to the Physical Geography, Geology, and 

 Natural History of the Sea ; and on these grounds I cherish the hope 

 that they wiU exert their influence in recommending Government to 

 grant a ship for the purpose of carrying out this survey at as early 

 a date in the approaching season as may be deemed expedient, 



"It rests with those who are competent to form an opinion on the 

 subject to determine whether or not my proposals deserve serioiia 

 consideration, and also whether I am personally qualified to under- 

 take the various researches indicated. Should I be recommended 

 for the duty for which I have endeavoured to fit myself, I can only 

 Bay my best efforts shall be put in force to do that duty well." 



hension 2nd. The effect of the great diminution of the stimulus 



of light. From the condition of the Cave Fauna, this latter agent pro- 

 bably affects only the development of colour and of the organs of sight." 

 The first question, as to pressure, had already been fully solved in my 

 "Notes," published in 1860, p. 25, and my ' North- Atlantic Sea-bed,' 

 published in 1862, pp. 105 to 113. To that explanation nothing material 

 has been since added, although both Dr. Carpenter and Dr. Thomson 

 have most freely used the same arguments aiid illustrations. The pro- 

 posal made in the text was to ascertain the pressure at any required 

 depth, by an instrument I designed with this object, in order to compare 

 the results with the theoretical estimate. The action of light had in like 

 manner been discussed in my work (cit. sup., pp. 129 to 133) — the condi- 

 tfon of the Cave Fauna, the effect on colour, and on the organs of sight 

 being each investigated in detail. 



