THE DEPTHS OF THE SEA. [CHAP. 



the spindle on which the cups turn. Attached 

 the same spindle is the rope D, which ends above 

 an iron ring. E represents a pair of tumbler hook 

 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 B, 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 F. 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- 



