39 



be correct, although remarkable, by 45 carefully-obtained observations between Halifax and this 

 position. 



Of these 45 observations, 26 are wanner, 10 are coldeivaad 9 have the same temperature. The 

 warmer are in favour of the colder, 16 in the whole, but in no one instance greater than 1'5 ; and 

 the greatest and most constant are noticeable to the east of the Milne Bank, after the rapid current 

 of the Gulf Stream had been passed. 



In the Pacific, off the west coast of America (the Isalcos Mountains), the temperature at 12 or 

 15 feet below the surface has been found to be 10 or 11 higher. This, I presume, is caused simply 

 by excessive evaporation, as I have often found there the difference between the wet and dry-bulb 

 hygrometer to be 9, and on occasion 11. 



Lat. 46 N. ; long. 29 40' W. 9th of September, being on the position of a vigia, a very satis- 

 factory sounding of 1650 fathoms was obtained : first disproving the existence of such a danger, and 

 secondly bringing up the most interesting and remarkable specimen of the bottom ; showing that 

 those minute creatures (Pteropods) which live on the surface do assist in forming the bottom of the 

 ocean. Foraminiferse and Diatomacse surrounding six dead Hyalsea shells, all perfect. These, to 

 have been taken on the bottom, must have been dead, and for a valve the size of a shilling to have 

 entrapped six of these, they must have been numerous indeed ; the whole area of the six was greater 

 than the valve itself they must, therefore, have been in such quantities as to overlap one' another. 

 Hyalsea were also taken on the surface in the towing-uet ; so that here was a successful illustration 

 that these lived on the surface and fell, after their period of existence, to the bottom. 



This was a shoal-sounding compared with those around it, and silicious formations now became 

 more numerous ; Coccospheres and other delicate forms, some resembling the Nautilus, with thir- 

 teen chambers, but devoid of the syphuncle which assists to elevate or depress the latter at pleasure, 

 by exhausting or filling its chambers with water. 



In this sounding, also, animal remains wei'e seen, and could hardly be mistaken ; the pseudo- 

 podial foramina or radiating processes from the tubercles of the canals were regularly protruding, 

 and at the point where the chambers intersect was a mass of minute spawn-like globules. 



Inorganic fragments of some size were also seen, having a smooth concave impression, intersected 

 with dark lines. In no instance are the shells of the Hyalzea, taken alive on the surface, so large 

 as those found dead on the bottom ; so that it may be possibly inferred that they have died at their 

 full growth, at the limit of their permitted existence. 



A very interesting and valuable sounding was made about 180 miles E.N.E. of the last, in 

 1180 fathoms, showing a less depth of water by 200 fathoms than in any part of the Atlantic (not 

 approximate to the shore). A small portion of the bottom " Oase " came up attached to a pig of 

 ballast, which was the weight used on this occasion. 



Lat. 47 11' N. ; long. 23 14' W. On the 12th September the favourable weather, with a dead 

 calm, induced us to sound, and a cup-lead of 112 Ibs. reached the bottom at 2000 fathoms, bringing 

 up a full cup of pale cream-colour "Oase," Infusoria, like ice-cream, and quite as cold. In this 

 sounding were many-shaped and various-formed Globigerinse, hemispherical and globular ; also 

 many spheroidal organisms, in one specimen of which we counted thirteen chambers. It was from 

 this sounding that 113 different specimens were obtained which form the subject of this pamphlet. 



A fractured portion of a Globigerina cell showed that the interior wall was formed of a perpen- 

 dicular transparent four-sided cell, while the exterior was perforated by narrow canals running 

 perpendicular to the frame. The temperature at that depth was still 42. 



