NARRATIVE OF THE ORTJISB. xxxix 



vations on the bathymetrical limit of reef-forming corals, and on the structure and origin 

 of coral reefs and islands. 



About this time appeared Sir John Dalyell's interesting investigations on Scottish 

 zoophytes and the first microscopic researches of Ehrenberg upon living and fossil 

 marine organisms. The microgeologic studies of the Latter, pointing out the relation be- 

 tween modern marine deposits and geological formations, added a new interest to the 

 investigation of marine life. In 1837 Mr Alan Stevenson applied the method still 

 in use for ascertaining the direction and velocity of marine under-currents. 1 



The next great advance in marine zoology was the invention of Ball's dredge in 1838. 

 The special features of this dredge were such as to give it at once the first place as a 

 naturalist's appliance, and after the lapse of nearly half a century it remains practically 

 unexcelled. 



The great importance of dredging as a means of zoological research was recognised in 

 1839 by the British Association, which appointed a committee "for researches with the 

 dredge, with a view to the investigation of the marine zoology of Great Britain, the 

 illustration of the geographical distribution of marine animals, and the more accurate 

 determination of the fossils of the Pliocene period under the superintendence of Mr. 

 Gray, Mr. Forbes, Mr. Goodsir, Mr. Patterson, Mr. Thompson of Belfast, Mr. Ball of 

 Dublin, Dr. George Johnston, Mr. Smith of Jordan Hill, and Mr. A. Strickland." * 



From the number of eminent men on this committee valuable reports were looked 

 for, and not in vain. One alone, Professor Edward Foi'bes, did more than any of his 

 contemporaries to advance marine zoology. He conducted long and patient investiga- 

 tions into the bathymetrical distribution of life in various seas ; and by the fascination 

 of his literary style he invested his reports with an interest that carried the knowledge 

 of his work far beyond the limits usually set to the labours of specialists. Forbes' ideas 

 on many points are no longer entertained ; had he lived longer he himself would 

 doubtless have been the first to discover and proclaim the falsity of many of them. 

 " To Forbes is due the credit of having been the first to treat these questions in a broad 

 philosophical sense, and to point out that the only means of acquiring a true knowledge 

 of the rationale of the distribution of our present fauna, is to make ourselves acquainted 

 with its history, to connect the present with the past. This is the direction which must 

 be taken by future inquiry. Forbes, as a pioneer in this line of research, was scarcely 

 in a position to appreciate the full value of his work. Every year adds enormously to 

 our stock of data, and every new fact indicates more clearly the brilliant results which 

 are to lie obtained by following his methods, and by emulating his enthusiasm and his 

 indefatigable industry." 3 



1 The Principles and Practice of Canal and River Engineering, by David Stevenson, F.R.S.E., p. 116, 2nd ed. 

 Edinburgh, 1872. 



2 Brit. Assoc. Report, p. 127, 1839 ; Memoir of Edward Forbes, F.R.S., by Wilson and Oeikie, p. 246, 1861. 

 :i Depths of the Sea, p. 6, 1874. 



(XAItrt. ('HALT., exp. — VOL, I. — 1885.) ;/ 



