330 CAV, \V. p. JERVIS, F.O.S., ON TUALASSOGRAPHICAL AND 



Palfeobritauiiia was flooded l)y the Avaves, and as regards 

 the eastern portion would appear to have been submei-ged 

 about OOO feet (15U fathoms), if not 4,000 feet (060 fathoms) 

 since the PHocene times, Avhen the glacial peaks of Norway 

 could have been visible for a distance of hundreds of miles 

 along the shores, and when the bears of Russia infested all 

 the forests, their principal obstacle having been to ford the 

 majestic stream Avliich often bore on its way towards the 

 arctic circle the swollen, half-putrid carcases of drowned 

 elephants, dead hippopotami, and all kinds of ancient denizens 

 of warmer climes. 



The sea had not yet burst a passage at the Straits of 

 Dover, but chalk downs probably extended between the 

 sites of Dover and Calais. On the other hand there is great 

 probability that the chalk rocks of Denmark formed l)old 

 cliffs along the coast line. In all which precedes we are far 

 from approaching the immense submergence so clearly 

 established Avith reference to the Atlantic. 



To follow up the image. Great Britain's isolation has 

 proved to be her most precious boon: she is a microcosui. 

 Forty fathoms of water are a greater protection than as 

 many citadels. Her bravest sons instinctively toil in the 

 now submerged regions, undaunted by winds and waves. 

 While every race of men has the same sacred right to 

 independence in their respective countries, an All-wise 

 Providence gave the sea for the free neutral use of mankind, 

 to serve as the great bond of union for friendly intercourse 

 between the most varied members of the one human family: 

 and who could better exercise such a privilege than tlic 

 inhabitants of the sea-girt British Isles'? 



The Chairman. — We have in this paper the following-up of a 

 very important subject, which has occupied us on more than one 

 occasion, on what is to be learnt from deep-sea soundings, and it is 

 very interesting to have traced some of the information we have 

 received. Of course it becomes immensely difficult to trace the 

 ancient channels under such waters as one finds in the south of tho 

 North Sea and the coast of Holland, filled with dilute sand and 

 gravel, and the wonder is that any channels have remained at all. 



