Miscellaneous. 79 



*' yvrih-Allaiilic »Sti<-/if(/.- In contribiitinj^ to our betttr acciuuiiit- 

 ance with the iiatunil hirttory of the sou, us usccrtuiucd duriii;^ the 

 vovaf^e of II. M.S. ' Hiilhlof;,' under the coinmaud of Sir Leopold 

 McC'lintock, Dr. Wallich* produced, by souiidin};s ut {^reat depths, 

 excellent materials to enable men ot science to ui)preciate more 

 correctly than before the feasibility of layinj» down ft sulmiarinc 

 telegraph between Ireland and North Anu-rica. Kxtending the 

 bathymetrical limits of animal lite in the ocean to the great depth 

 of 75u<> feet, or H mile, beneath its surface, and working out 

 accurate data as to tlie varieil condition of the sea-bottom at dif- 

 ferent depths, he was well (jualitied to propose to our Council a 

 scheme for such a systematic survey of the sea and sea-bed between 

 Ireland and Newfoundland as might lead to the laying on a sound 

 basis a submarine telegraphic cable between the two countries. 



•* Attributing the fears and doubts as to a successful issue of tho 

 echemes put forth chietly to the inadequate metliods hitherto 

 employed in examining the sea- bed by the rapid transit of our sur- 

 veying-ships, and by soundings taken on one line only at great 

 distances apart. Dr. Wallich proposed that a much closer search 

 should be made before telegraphic cables were lowered into un- 

 known depths, and laid across submarine hills, gorges, and valleys, 

 the irregularity of whose forms, as existing between the points 

 hitherto sounded, might prove to be enormous. He argued that a 

 full and proper submarine search was as essential a preliminary to 

 a rational scheme of laying down a telegraphic cable, as a survey of 

 the outlines of land was re(iuisite for the engineer before he could 

 accurately define the best and safest line to be followed by a rail- 

 road. 



" Being of opinion that such an effort was well worthy of their 

 encouragement, the Council of our Society supported the project of 

 Dr. Wallich, not only in the belief that its execution must throw 

 much light on this interesting branch of physical geography, but 

 ■would also develop various phenomena of great interest in natural 

 history, geology, meteorology, and physics. On my own part, 

 being very desirous of seeing so noble an exercise of the searching 

 powers of this great maritime nation set on foot under the manage- 

 ment of 60 energetic a naturalist as Dr. Wallich, I earnestly 

 recommended its adoption to the First Lord of the Admiralty. 

 But, as the project matured, it speedily appeared that Dr. Wallich 

 retjuired two steamers for the effectual survey in question, which 

 demand was considered to be too hea%y at a moment when few 

 vessels could ])e spared from our naval reserves ; and hence the 

 consideration of the subject has, for the present, been dropped, 

 I hope, however, that in more (|uiet times a complete submarine 

 survey of the Atlantic will be carried out, by the joint operations 

 of nations on f>n(h sides of that ocean ; and when that day arrives, I 

 trust that the project of Dr. Wallich, with all his ingenious appli- 



♦ " See Dr. Wallich 's work, published witli the sanction of the Lords of 

 the Admiralty, entitlpd 'Tho N..rtb-Atl«ntic Sea-bed.' Ix)ndon, 1862. 

 Van Voon»t." 



