JET. 59.] THE DEEP SEA. 227 



He demonstrated how continental Europe, with much of 

 its western sea-bed, "was subject to successive changes 

 of level, giving rise to a series of Eocene, Miocene, and 

 Pliocene strata, with their diversified and varying 

 faunas." His treatment of the subject gauged the 

 knowledge up to date, and was very suggestive. The 

 study of the circulation of polar and ocean currents 

 had always had a special attraction for him. 



Instead of a refreshing Easter excursion, there was 

 persistent home with city work at high pressure. 

 The result was indisposition, and peremptory medical 

 orders for change and rest. 



J. Prestwicll to J. Evans. ST LEONAKDS-ON-SEA, 9th May 1871. 



MY DEAR EVANS, I thought of you all on Friday, and have 

 heard from Jeffreys of what ,a pleasant and large party you had. 



I at last got permission to leave town on Saturday. We 

 arrived here yesterday in most beautiful weather, took an early 

 dinner with Bowerbank, and settled down here in the evening. 

 I like none of these seaside places, but since the 26th February 

 1870 I feel right anywhere. I hope also to polish off the 

 Brixham Cave and Coal Eeport No. 2. We may be here for a 

 fortnight. To-day winter seems to have come back again. It is 

 wet and cold. I am, however, I am happy to say, decidedly 

 better, and hope to be at my posts again at Somerset House and 

 the City at the end of the fortnight. I shall be glad to hear 

 that Kaup is elected to-morrow, and, believe me, ever truly 

 yours, Jos. PRESTWICH. 



The quiet of Darent-Hulme was enlivened by fre- 

 quent visits from relations, and by the welcome sight 

 of busy geological friends, whose stay was usually 

 limited from Saturday until an early train on Monday. 

 The walk on Sunday afternoon was often out high 

 upon the down, whence far - reaching views were a 



