MAN AND HIS WORK AT THE BOTTOM OF THE SEA. 



I. The Empire of the Seas denied to Man — Numerous attempts at 

 Submarine Exploration — Disturbance of present social conditions 

 which would ensue from the possibility of travelling beneath the 

 Surface of the Water — The Sea the best tie between Nations. 



Air is necessary to the life of man ; his organisa- 

 tion forbids a too protracted stay beneath the surface 

 of the water. If he dives he is soon compelled to 

 return to the surface. He is, therefore, unable to 

 acquire any extensive acquaintance with the sub- 

 merged part of the earth, for no sooner does the 

 depth exceed a few feet than some special apparatus 

 becomes requisite. The explorations vvhich have 

 been made, however, besides their theoretical im- 

 portance, have resulted in great commercial gain. 



What enormous wealth has been engulfed in the 

 sea since man first dared its dangers, and entrusted 

 his treasures to its fatal grasp ! Each year a further 

 tribute is levied by the moving torrent of waters, 

 whicli yields up, here andthere,an insignificant portion 

 of its spoil, but jealously guards the more precious 



