36 



Here the thermometers were sent down to ascertain specially if cold water existed at any depth. 

 One thermometer burst at 1400 fathoms. Water was brought up from a depth of 1500 fathoms,* 

 containing small and delicate particles of algae of various bright colours, showing possib'y, that light 

 had penetrated to that depth ; but there was no sign of animal lifef to the naked eye. 



Another sounding for the bank was tried, and 2600 fathoms obtained ; the rod bringing 

 up from the same vast mass, countless thousands of the same character as those found a day 

 or two previous at a nearly similar depth, except that the Globigerinse were in clusters, and 

 in those fractured there was apparently a hard, compact, crystallised, fine sand. 



The fractured Globigerinaa in this sounding were very beautiful, showing marginal walls of 

 vertical crystal formation, clear as water, the fractured globes or cells containing (apparently) minute 

 quartzose sand. Thinner glass-like forms of air-like globules, in irregular order, were probably 

 Coccospheres. 



A small convex portion illustrated beautifully the radiating perforations or canals of the Fora- 

 minifer, both direct and diagonal ; aud some few irregular particles of Diatoms flexible and multiform. 



Some of these also show the horizontal layers of each wall, added layer to layer the outer 

 ones thickening, and the external layer becoming coated with tubercules ; the interior are of an 

 enamel transparent smoothness. 



The heat in the Gulf Stream was found at times very oppressive, and reminded us all of the 

 climate of Trinidad in the wet season. The thermometer in the shade was 82, in the sun 96; 

 the warm vapour arising from the heated water made one feel languid, lazy, and sleepy, and 

 was very debilitating. 



By the temperatures obtained from actual observation at 300, 500, and 1000 fathoms, the waters 

 were in all cases warmer than the corresponding depths north of the Gulf Stream. This is, of course, 

 very natural, but it is as well to have it from actual observation ; and this would argue in favour 

 of bodies of warm water being brought up from the coast of Africa by the south-east trades, and, 

 accumulating with those of the Gulf Stream on the position assigned to the Milne Bank, assisting 

 materially in adding to its velocity and irregularity. 



Stood north again for Polar waters, which were soon felt by the temperature of the sea-surface 

 changing in 2 hours 14 viz., from 72 to 58, giving again the northern limits of the Gulf 

 Stream. The air also gave proof of this again, for in an hour we passed from a close uncomfortable 

 heat to a chilly cold, which compelled all hands to put on warm jackets ; and, as a natural 

 consequence of this change, soon followed a dense fog ! 



Ran for the Flemish Cap, on which we sounded and obtained 80 fathoms. Stones, Feldtspar, 

 and various coloured quartz, with some few Foraminiferse even in these shoal waters. 



Sounded midway between the north part of the Flemish Cap and the Grand Bank, to ascertain if 

 there was any connection, or if they were separated by a deep channel. 250 fathoms was obtained, 

 showing that it was part of the bank, but having a rocky nucleus, about which the soil brought 

 down by the ice accumulates ; but the Polar current over it is sufficiently strong to keep the rock 



* Temperature 42. 



f The temperature of the air was 77 

 sea 73 



At 100 fathoms below it was 62 10 degrees less. 

 At 300 65 = 20 



And at 1000 4-> or 30 



so that cold Pokr waters were passing underneath at '200 fathoms below the surface. 



