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bare. On two occasions it bent and turned the iron cup of the weight in 90 fathoms ; here at 250 

 fathoms the temperature of the sea was 38, while at the surface it was 50; the air being the same. 

 The south part of the Cap is not, however, united to~the Banks, for 700 fathoms, and no ground 

 was obtained between them. 



On the parallel of 46 latitude, at a distance of 25 miles from the edge of the bank, sounded 

 in 1000 fathoms, bringing up large quantities of rounded particles of quartz of various colours. 



Here a section of the slope of the bank was made, showing its ascent, formation, and the nature 

 of these vast banks. From 1000 fathoms of coloured quartzose sand, to 650 of silicious spicules 

 of sponges ; then to 450 green mud ; 150 quartzose sand ; GO stones ; 55 stones, sand, and fish- 

 bones ; and the latter told us that we were on the Grand Banks. 



Passing over and searching for the " Jesse Ryder Shoal " of 4 fathoms, which was found not to 

 exist, we put over the dredge and dropped on a perfect colony of star-fish (Ophiocoma) of all sizes, 

 from half an inch to 3 inches in diameter. 



In a very dense fog steered for St. John's, Newfoundland, where we arrived on the 24th July, to 

 rest for a few days after the work in the Gulf Stream. It was cold, raw, and foggy ; but we were 

 very glad to drop anchor in its snug and secure harbour, free for a while from all the cares, 

 anxieties, and perplexities necessarily attending deep-sea sounding. 



Having again prepared lines, instruments, and chronometers for a second voyage, sailed on the 

 27th August for the north extreme of the Gulf Stream, and which was reached two days afterwards 

 the sea temperature rising suddenly from 53 to 61. 



Lat. 44 3' N. ; long. 48 7' W. Here soundings were again obtained with rod and heavy detaching 

 weights in 1650 fathoms, bringing up Foraminiferse in all stages, whole and fragmentary, having 

 from two to six cells or chambers in clusters, spherical, plate and flat-shaped Polycystina, with a 

 few spicules of sponges, as well as coccoliths. 



Temperatures of under strata of currents were obtained, again showing that at 1000 fathoms the 

 water was 39 5', and at only 50 fathoms below the surface (which was 61) it was 43, or 18 

 colder ! air being 61 ; another proof of the bare superficial Gulf Stream. 



Another cast of the lead on the supposed position of the Sainthill volcano quite disproved the 

 existence of this vigia within a radius of many miles. 



We were approaching for the second time the " Milne Bank," of 80 fathoms ; and although 

 2300 fathoms was obtained on it a short time since, yet there was still a hope that the second 

 attempt would be more successful, particularly as a telegram had reached me from England to the 

 effect that " there was no doubt of the Milne Bank, as bottom was brought up three times ;" and 

 indeed so it would appear. But on the 3rd of September (lat. 43 40' N., long. 38 50' W.-) the 

 lead was again let go and 2700 fathoms obtained, the rod bringing up a small but precious portion 

 of Foramiuiferae. 



The towiiig-net gave another rich haul of Hyalsea Atlanta and Spirula with three specimens 

 of Nautilus cornucopia (I believe the latter to be Operculate). 



It is interesting to find how the different species of these delicate ocean-shells have their own 

 special haunts and feeding-grounds. In one place the Atlanta are taken in numbers, with scarcely 

 any others ; in another a net full of Hyalsea tridentata ; then quantities of Spinosa or Radiata ; 

 lastly, a bag of Jauthina fragilis ; but these latter are more generally distributed than others. All 

 these delicate creatures are found more numerous on the surface at the sun's rising and setting, and 

 very abundant during light showers of rain. 



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