108 EXPEDITION OF THE “ALBATROSS,” 1899-1900. 
ence of the belts of bathymetrical range of pelagic organisms invented 
by Haeckel, based by him on data of the “ Challenger.” On the contrary, 
I would interpret the data of the “Challenger,” as well as the results I 
have obtained in this and former expeditions, and those of the “ National” 
and “ Valdivia” Expedition, as showing that within a certain distance from 
the bottom, at sea, far from continental areas, there is a free-swimming 
fauna related to that found on the bottom; and that the pelagic fauna, 
so-called, away from the continents, where the surface fauna is a mixture 
of shore embryos and of pelagic animals derived from a comparatively 
short distance from the shore, extends to a very limited depth from the 
surface,—three hundred fathoms, or thereabout, indicating, from our present 
knowledge, the limit to which the so-called intermediate fauna extends; 
many of its members coming occasionally to the surface or near it, and 
the members of the surface fauna often dropping to considerable depths 
from disturbing atmospheric causes; near the surface these two fauns thus 
become mixed to a certain extent. From my earlier observations, I was 
inclined to place the lower limit of bathymetrical range of the surface 
organisms somewhat too high, though even at that limit the pelagic 
fauna is already greatly reduced in numbers, as has been noticed also by 
subsequent observers. ; 
Newevort, R. I. 
October 25, 1900. 
