HUMAN LIFE UNDER SEA i8i 



glass but that a quantity of air remains within 

 the tumbler above the water. 



The diving bell operates in a similar man- 

 ner, and the air contained in the bell enables 

 the occupants to remain dry and comfortable 

 after the bell is lowered to the bed of the sea. 

 Unfortunately diving bells have limitations, 

 for as the pressure of the water increases with 

 the depth the air within the bell is compressed 

 more and more until a point is reached where 

 man cannot withstand the pressure. 



In time better methods and the discovery of 

 rubber led to the construction of diving-suits 

 and to-day these are the commonest and most 

 widely used of all devices to enable man to 

 visit the bottom of the sea. The diver, clad 

 in a diving-suit of rubber, with heavy lead- 

 soled boots, great metal weights on his chest 

 and at his belt and with fresh air forced by 

 an air-pump through a hose from above, is 

 able to walk about upon the bed of the sea and 

 to remain under water for a long time. By 

 means of the diving-suit wrecks are raised, 

 treasure is recovered, pearls, sponges and 

 other marine products are gathered, pipes and 



