8 BULLETIN OF THE 
a hundred fathoms, when we lowered more carefully, and then payed 
out the slack very gradually, the dredge dragging on the bottom all the 
time. In bringing it up after the dredge was clear of the bottom, it 
was hoisted again at the same speed, and as far as I could perceive the 
specimens were none the worse for their rapid upward journey. This 
gave us a chance to make several hauls a day, and by not leaving the 
dredge or trawl to drag too long on the bottom, we obviated the great 
loss of time due to fouling, reversing, or any other accident ont of sight. 
In the “Challenger” the best part of the day was gencrally consumed in 
making a haul at a depth of 1,500 fathoms, We experienced no incon- 
venience from the kinking of the rope, if kept well stretched, and not 
allowed to lie slack on the bottom. 
We have modificd somewhat the dredges generally used. While 
using the dredges, as formerly made, with a frame having a bevelled 
edge, especially on muddy bottom, we experienced great annoyance at 
first from the amount of mud brought up by it. When the dredge is used 
in soft ooze, it evidently sinks deeply in it and fills at once, and, the viscid 
mud not washing out easily, it is even difficult to sift it on deck. To 
obviate this defect, we stopped a piece of two-and-a-half-inch rope below 
the dredge frame to raise the lips and prevent it from cutting into the 
mud. This worked admirably, and after that our dredges always came 
up bringing less mud and a larger supply of specimens. We are now 
making a dredge with a flat frame for use on our next trip. We are also 
attempting a modification of the beam-trawl ; as at present used, there 
is constant danger, in lowering it to great depths, below 1,000 fathoms, 
that it will not fall properly, no matter how well balanced it may be, 
owing to currents or the drift of the vessel. We have therefore devised 
a new trawl bearing to the old beam-trawl the same relation which the 
ordinary dredge bears to the old oyster-dredge, and we hope thus to 
have a trawl which will not fail to do its duty on whatever side it may 
happen to fall. The tangles we found invaluable, especially on rocky 
bottoms, where there is always danger of carrying away either a dredge 
or a trawl. 
I made no attempts to use the tow-net at great depths to ascertain 
the presence of Foraminifera, Radiolaria, or other pelasgic animals at a 
considerable distance from the surface. All naturalists familiar with 
the use of the dip-net, the tow-net, or its modification first employed be- 
low the surface by Baur, know that the pelasgic animals are driven from 
the immediate surface, by winds and rain, or by some other cause, into 
moderate depth, where they may always be procured, while at greater 
