240 THE BOTTOM OF THE SEA. 



to .«!iich objects, and we shall presently see how they 

 iiave partially resolved the question in respect to the 

 Ucean. Sailors of a new order may now be shipped 

 for submarine expeditions; the adventurer can 

 already carry witli him a provision of air, light, and 

 food; lie can sink or rise at will, or maintain himself 

 at any particular depth, like a spirit of the deep ; he 

 can suddenly make his presence felt in the midst of a 

 fleet, or on a hostile coast, before the astounded enemy 

 has time to prepare for defence ; he can discharge his 

 powerful batteries and engulf himself in his adopted 

 element, like a true marine monster, while they seek 

 in vain for the cause of the disaster with which they 

 are suddenly smitten. 



If a few steps have been made towards the realisa- 

 tion of such marvels, how many more still remain 

 to be accomplished ! It will perhaps never be man's 

 lot to tread the hitherto unfathomable abysses of the 

 sea ; the hum of civilisation will never disturb the 

 profound peace which the monsters of the deep are 

 themselves bound to respect. At any rate, there must 

 be patient waiting through a long series of ages for 

 this result, and we must leave to our descendants the 

 care of adding another chapter to the history of the 

 earth. They may perhaps see cultivated lands, forests, 

 and mountains, where the present level of the sea per- 

 mits only a wild waste of waters ; or perhaps they may, 



