man's submarine work. 379 



MAN'S SUBMARINE WORK. 



Notwithstanding the great amount of informa- 

 tion which has been gathered, through past ages, 

 concerning the ocean and its treasures, the sum total 

 compared with the vast store as yet untouched is 

 almost trifling. The present century, so preeminent 

 for progress in all departments of human investiga- 

 tion, has also made great advancement in ocean lore. 

 The diving-bell with its manifold improvements, 

 has enabled us to literally walk upon the bottom of 

 the sea, gather, at comparative leisure, the wealth 

 of the mines of the great deep, and examine its cav- 

 erns and treasure-houses with considerable security. 

 While formerly, only the shores and edges of the 

 wide waters could be searched, now, the diver with 

 his water-proof armor boldy plunges into the waves, 

 wherever the hope of reward may present itself. 



The simplest form of diving apparatus, the diving 

 bell, resembles a huge bell. It may be square, 

 or irregular. It is simply an air-tight box open at 

 one end. Seats are arranged on the inside for the 

 convenience of those who go down in it. This box 

 is put on the water, open end down, and the diver 

 enters through a small door in the top or side. lie 

 closes the door, which is perfectly air and water- 

 tight, — gives the signal to those outside who are to 



