The Mighty Deep 



especially in Earth's colder regions, where they 

 abound most freely. 



The ocean-bed has been described as one huge 

 sepulchre, full of the remains of once-living 

 creatures. And this is true ; yet by itself it 

 gives a very one-sided view. Not less is the 

 ocean-bed to be described as a world of abound- 

 ing Life. 



Everywhere, throughout the whole sea, in all 

 parts, above and below and between near the 

 surface, on the floor, in all intermediate reaches 

 living creatures flourish in numbers past ima- 

 gination. 



Not everywhere equally. Here may be found 

 a wonderful richness of animal-life. There the 

 explorer may alight on a barren region. Yet 

 even those parts more scantily supplied need not 

 be always thus. Living creatures in vast hordes, 

 in enormous companies, drift to and fro, rise up- 

 wards and sink downwards ; and the district 

 which to-day seems almost devoid of life may to- 

 morrow be thronged with active beings. 



The Ocean's inhabitants have been roughly 

 divided into three Classes Deep-Sea Life, 

 Intermediate Ocean Life, and Surface Ocean 

 Life. 



The first of these includes all animals which 

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