LIFE AT AND NEAR SURFACE 129 



a wonderful amount of life which forms a 

 world, marvellous in the variety of its deni- 

 zens and as fascinating as fairy-land. 



In shallow water the sunlight penetrates for 

 considerable depths, the water is not under 

 enormous pressure and the temperature varies 

 with the distance north or south of the equa- 

 tor. Hence, in moderately shallow water 

 many forms of life thrive which would find 

 existence impossible in the great depths, and 

 in various parts of the world different ani- 

 mals occur which are peculiar to their partic- 

 ular localities and cannot exist in waters of 

 other depths or temperatures. 



Beneath the water is a fierce, never-ceasing 

 struggle for existence between the various ani- 

 mals and nearly every marine animal feeds 

 upon some others, so that in the shallow 

 waters, where life is most varied and abun- 

 dant, we find the greatest opportunity to 

 learn of the lives and habits of marine crea- 

 tures. Here, too, fish find the most food and 

 in places, such as George's Banks, the Grand 

 Banks and the coral reefs of tropical seas, fish- 

 ermen find the best ground for their labours. 



