In Ocean Depths 



Practically the Mediterranean, despite its depth, 

 may be looked upon as an inland sea. The one 

 opening which connects it with the open ocean is 

 not only comparatively narrow, but also is shallow, 

 being less than two hundred fathoms deep. The 

 water on this dividing ridge remains at about 55, 

 and the Mediterranean throughout, to its greatest 

 depths, keeps to about that same degree of 

 warmth. No entrance is afforded to the heavy 

 cold currents from polar regions. 



The Red Sea is separated from the Indian 

 Ocean by a similar ridge, and the same result 

 is seen there. Over the floor of the Indian 

 Ocean lies a carpet of chill water. But the whole 

 body of the Red Sea never sinks, in summer or 

 winter, below 70 F. Here, too, the cold streams 

 are not able to surmount the barrier. 



In many deep mid-ocean hollows, cut off by 

 surrounding sub-ocean walls of rock, the same is 

 found again warm water within the hollow, cold 

 water on the ocean-bed outside. 



49 



