THE BASIN AND BED OF THE ATLANTIC. 329 



615. A discovery suggested by it. — Having thus discovered that 

 the most frail and delicate organisms of the sea can remain in 

 its depths for an indefinite length of time without showing a 

 single trace of decay, we find ourselves possessed of a fact which 



" In reference to the question of permanent life in these most recent deep-sea 

 materials, it may be observed, that the forms which we find are astonishingly 

 well preserved, and in very large proportion, sometimes forming the principal 

 mass of the earthy bottom. 



*' The striking fact, moreover, that every one who has the opportunity to 

 compare accurately the microscopic forms of the whole land and sea under great 

 variety of circumstance does, out of even the smallest specimens of the bottom, 

 deduce so much that is new and peculiar to him, is no light testimony to show 

 that the depth is not merely a collection of rubbish of the dead surface-like, 

 liowever much there must be of fragments which naturally and undoubtedly 

 deposit themselves there. I have considered this final remark necessary, be- 

 cause the distinguished Sea-knower in Washington, often so kindly supplying 

 and instructing me with material, has recently, in a report on Sub-oceanic Geo- 

 graphy, New York, January 8, 1857, page 5, and yet more in detail in a late 

 private letter, expressed a view ojDposite to that here laid down by me, in which 

 however, I cannot coincide, for the reasons given above." 



As these sheets are passing through the press (Nov. 22, 1860), a copy of 

 Dr. Wallach's " Notes on the Presence of Animal Life in Vast Depths of the 

 Sea," dated " Off Kockall, Nov. 8, 1860," has been placed in my hands. From 

 this interesting monograph it appears that Captain Sir Leopold M'Clintock, 

 during his recent survey, in H. M. steamer the " Bulldog," of the telegraphic 

 route via Greenland, brought up living star-fish, adhering to the deep-sea line. 



"In sounding," says the doctor, p. 22, "not quite midway between Cape 

 Farewell and Kockall, in 126 fathoms, whilst the sounding apparatus brought 

 up an ample specimen of coarse gritty-looking matter, consisting of about 95 

 per cent, of clean Ghbigerina-shells, a nmnber of star-fishes, belonging to the 

 genus Ophiocoma, came up, adherent to the lowest 50 fathoms of the deep-sea 

 line employed." 



These star-fishes were alive. They continued to move about for upwards of a 

 quarter of an hour. The " red and light-pink coloured tints " being as clear 

 and brilliant, says the doctor, as seen in their congeners inhabiting its shalloiv 

 icaters ichere the sun's rays penetrate freely. 



One of the animals was dissected, which was found to differ in no respect 

 (p. 23), as regards internal anatomy, from the species inhabiting shallow water. 

 He found in the alimentary cavity numerous Globigerina-shells, more or less 

 completely freed of their soft contents. 



These contents, and the bringing up of these hving specimens, is held by the 

 *' biotics " to be {)roof conclusive as to the existence of animal life in the depths 

 of the sea. 



So far from settling the question, these star-fishes leave it, I submit, exactly 

 as it was before. They were not brouglit up by the arming of the lead. They 

 were adhering to the line by their own volition. They might have taken hold 

 of the line near the surface as well as near the bottom. It is ditficult, it Lg true-, 



