no SEA AND LAND 



the creatures of the sea-floor ; so that before the dust returns 

 to the hrm-set earth it may pass through an extended cycle 

 of Hving' forms. 



The fate of animal bodies on the sea-floor is well illustrated 

 by the fact that beneath the waters of the Gulf Stream, where 

 it passes by southern L'lorida, there are, in some places, quan- 

 tities of bones, apparently those of the manitee, or sea-cow, 

 a large herbivorous mammal, which, like the seal, has become 

 adapted to aquatic life ; these creatures plentifully inhabit the 

 tropical rivers which flow into the Caribbean Sea, and are, 

 though rarely, found in the streams of southern Florida. At 

 their death they drift out into the open water and are swept 

 away to the northward by the ocean current. For some 

 weeks, perhaps, the carcasses are buoyed up by the gases of 

 decomposition which are retained by their thick, oily skins ; 

 as these decay and break, the bodies fall to the bottom. 

 When the dredge brings up fragments of their skeletons we 

 find the bits bored through and through, like insect-eaten 

 wood, by the many animals which are fitted to consume them. 

 It is evident that in a short time these bones become reduced 

 to j)Owder. 



It is otherwise with the ships wliich founder in the deep 

 sea. They doubtless remain for centuries as monuments of 

 the strange doings of the masterful creature of the land. 

 Whatever the attitude of the craft when it is overwhelmed by 

 the waters, it is likely that a moment after it descends below 

 their surface, it rights itself, assuming the position it occupies 

 when sailing in quiet waters. The weight of the ballast neces- 

 saril)' brings il into this position. In this attitude the vessel 

 falls steadfastly-, but not very swiftl)-, until it strikes the bot- 

 tom. It may require in the average depth of the sea, which 



