126 Scientific Intelligence. 
. Note on an indication of depth of Primeval Seas, afforded by 
the remains of color in Fossil Testacea; by Epwarp Forsss, F.R.S., 
Pres. G. S., (Proc. Roy. Soc., March, 1854.)—When engaged in the 
investigation of the bathymetrical distribution of existing mollusks, the 
author found that not only did the color of their shells cease to be 
strongly marked at considerable depths, but also that well-defined pat- 
terns were, with very few and slight exceptions, presented only by 
testacea inhabiting the littoral, circumlittoral and median zones. In 
the Mediterranean only one in eighteen of the shells taken from below 
100 fathoms exhibited any markings of color, and even the few that did 
so, were questionable inhabitants of those depths. Between 35 and 
fathoms, the proportion of marked to plain shells was rather less than 
one in three, and between the sea-margin and 2 fathoms the striped or 
mottled species exceeded one-half of the total number. 
In our own seas the author observes that testacea taken from below 
100 fathoms, even when they were individuals of species vividly striped 
or banded in shallower zones, are quite white or colorless. Between 
* 60 and 80 fathoms, striping and banding are rarely presented by our 
shells, especially in the northern provinces; and from 50 fathoms 
shallow-wards, colors and patterns are well marked. : 
The relation of these arrangements of color to the degrees of light 
penetrating the different zones of depth, is a subject well worthy of 
minute inquiry, and has not yet been investigated by natural philuso- 
phers. 
as to prevent our having much difficulty about ascertaining the probable 
bathymetrical zone of the sea in which they lived. 
ut in palzeozoic strata the general assemblage of articulate, mollus- 
ean and radiate forms is so different from any now existing with whi 
we can compare it, and so few species of generic types still remaining 
are presented for our guidance, that in many instances we can searcely 
venture to infer with safety the original bathymetrical zone of a deposit 
from its fossil contents. Consequently any fact that will help us ™ 
elucidating this point becomes of considerable importance. 
_ Traces of coloring are rarely presented by pa i 
leeozoic 
of few examples in which they have been noticed. 
: in his ‘ Geology of Yorkshire,’ represents the carvon! 
omaria flammigera (i.e. carinata) and conica, 8 
eM Pg Ys Sahay ee. uke 
