166 William Libbey — Gulf Stream and Ladrador Current. 



perfectly. If we suppose this area to have been flooded b}'' warm 

 water in the j^ears previous to that date in the manner suggested 

 above, it is easy to see that when this warm band receded the 

 first break in its continuity would occur in that extreme part of 

 the bend in the coast between Cape Ma}^ and Nantucket. The 

 fish over this portion of the bottom would, in the event of the 

 withdraAval of the warm water, be suddenly exposed to a bath 

 of water of sufficient degree of coldness to benumb them and 

 start them on their way to the surface. After they had reached 

 a point in the water which marked the limit of their adjustment 

 to water pressure, they were bound to go the rest of the way to 

 the top, where they arrived in abnormal condition, as their 

 bodies were all puffed up, and in most instances their stomachs 

 protruded from their mouths as a result of the diminution of 

 pressure. 



This study of the environment of the life forms in this area 

 has therefore led to interesting results. It is to be hoped that 

 Congress will some day see the connection between pure and 

 applied scientific work clearly enough to enable them to supply 

 the means for the carrying out of investigations which can lead 

 to practical results, and that the scientific commissions of the 

 Government will not be forced to suffer through the lack of in- 

 telligent support which should be given them. 



