1210 TEE DEPTHS OF THE SEA. [chap. v. 



the spindle on which the cups turn. Attached to 

 the same spindle is the rope d, which ends above in 

 an iron ring, e represents a pair of tumbler hooks, 

 fastened likewise to the end of the sounding-line ; 

 c a heavy leaden or iron weight, with a hole through 

 it wide enough to allow the rope d with its loop and 

 ring to pass freely ; and n, a strong india-rubber band 

 which passes round the handles of the scoops. In the 

 figure the instrument is represented as it is sent 

 down and before it reaches the bottom. The weight 

 c and the scoops a are now suspended by the rope d, 

 whose ring is caught by the tumbler hooks e. The 

 elastic ring b is in a state of tension, ready to draw 

 together the scoop handles and close the scoops, but 

 it is antagonized by the weight c, which, pressing 

 down into a space between the handles, keeps them 

 asunder. The moment the scoops are driven into the 

 ground by the weight, the tension on the rope d is 

 relaxed, the tumblers fall and release the ring, and 

 the weight falls and allows the elastic band to close 

 the scoops and to keep them closed upon whatever 

 they may contain ; the rope D slips through the 

 weight, and the closed scoops are drawn up by the 

 rope r. This is a pretty idea, and an ingenious and 

 elegant apparatus, but it is rather complicated. I 

 have never seen it in use, but I should fear that the 

 observer might often be thwarted by the scoops fall- 

 ing in a wrong direction, or by pebbles getting into 

 the hinges and preventing their closing thoroughly. 

 The simpler all these things are the better. 



We used in our trip in the 'Lightning' in 1868 an 

 instrument (Fig. 41) which at first sight scarcely 

 looks promising from its apparent want of compact- 



