SCIENCE 
A WEEKLY JOURNAL DEVOTED TO THE ADVANCEMENT OF SCIENCE, PUBLISHING THE 
OFFICIAL NOTICES AND PROCEEDINGS OF THE AMERICAN ASSOCIATION 
FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF SCIENCE. 
EDITORIAL CoMMITTEE: S. NEwcomsB, Mathematics ; 
R. S. WoopWARD, Mechanics; E. C. PICKERING, 
Astronomy ; T. C. MENDENHALL, Physics ; R. H. THURSTON, Engineering ; IRA REMSEN, Chemistry ; 
JOSEPH LE CONTE, Geology ; W. M. Davis, Physiography ; HENRY F. OsBoRN, Paleontology ; 
W. K. Brooks, C. HART MERRIAM, Zoology ; S. H. ScupDER, Entomology ; C. E. BEssEY, 
N. L. Brirron, Botany ; C. 
Physiology; J. 8S. BILLINGs, 
J. MCKEEN CATTELL, Psychology 
S. Minor, Embryology, Histology; H. P. BownpritcH, 
Hygiene ; 
WILLIAM H. WELCH, Pathology ; 
; J. W. PowEtL, Anthropology. 
Fripay, May 31, 1901. 
CONTENTS : 
The Sea Bottom—its Physical Condition and its 
Fauna: PROFESSOR C. C. NUTTING............... 841 
Reminiscent Remarks on the Top: PROFESSOR 
(CARI IBV ATU) scopobs sododadeootie acne eudeaboauonaaseacas 852 
HOG SOP IBIS sccceococa socoesondaacqosdenqcon.oodeRC6CC 854 
Silas W. Holman: PROFESSOR CHAS. R. CRoss.. 857 
Scientific Books :— 
Two High School Text-books on Botany: PRo- 
FESSOR CHARLES E. BEssEY. Korschelét and 
Heider’s Embryology of Invertebrates: F. R. L. 
Groos on the Play of Man: O. T. M. Richter’s 
Inorganic Chemistry: PROFESSOR E. RENOUF. 
TBNOES REGIE 0 n60000000 60009 0OoRURGebI0 JaDBuECDAcOOIS 859 
Scientific Journals and Articles.............+.+0+e00ee 863 
Societies and Academies :— 
The New York Academy of Sciences, Section of 
Anthropology and Psychology: DR. R. S. Woop- 
WORTH. Section of Biology: PROFESSOR 
HENRY E. CRAMPTON. Section of Astronomy, 
Physics and Chemistry: Dr. F. L. Turts. 
Torrey Botanical Club: Dr. D. T. MacDovu- 
EiUNrconsascecc0020 cbacsandsqanded GagocqaoboabazodconNad=u0 864 
Discussion and Correspondence :— 
The Bibliography of Geodesy : PROFESSOR J. H. 
(CO tnsosas0060 n5000D000 veoogno0ngeacieecdsneedcqdadBaRc0R000 868 
Shorter Articles :— 
Note on the Western Tertiary: DR. FREDERICK 
W.SARDESON. An Unusual Type of Aurifer- 
ous Deposit: OSCAR H. HERSHBY..............02 
Current Notes on Physiography :— 
Tallulah Gorge, Georgia; Prehistoric Landslides 
in the Alps; Great African Lakes: PROFESSOR 
Wo Wil IDAQYES oocccansnasconcononadcoes ecosoaconeeanedeSe 
Recent Progress in Paleontology :—- 
Congestion of Museums ; Special Investigations ; 
Evolution of the Horse: H. F. O. 
An Archeological Map: HARLAN I. SMITH......... 873 
The Biological Station of the University of Montana. 873 
Syntonic Wireless Telegraphy..........0+-1.ceesnecasease 
Wireless Telegraphy in the NAvy......-.200 e1e-0e00--+- 
The American Association for the Advancement of 
Science 
868 
THE SEA BOTTOM—ITS PHYSICAL CONDE 
TIONS AND ITS FAUNA.* 
Ir is hard to realize the fact that, up to 
a comparatively recent date, nearly three- 
fifths of the actual solid surface of the 
earth was absolutely a ‘terra incognita,’ a 
region as unknown as the poles, and as full 
of mystery as the center of the earth. Yet, 
if it be true that the sea covers nearly three- 
fifths of the surface of the earth, it is also 
true thatits bottom, which is the actual solid 
surface of the globe, was, up to the middle 
of the century just ended, absolutely unex- 
plored, excepting a very narrow strip around 
the edges. 
For the purpose of our study this even- 
ing, we may define the deep sea as all that 
is deep enough to exclude sunlight and 
vegetable life in appreciable quantities from 
the bottom. We may safely assume that 
this limit is at a depth of about 150 fathoms. 
Sensitive photographic plates are said to be 
unaffected beyond the depth of about 125 
fathoms clear water. 
It thus becomes apparent that we shall 
have to include as deep sea almost all the 
area covered by the oceans of the world, 
there being but an inconsiderable strip 
around the edges that is within the 150- 
fathom line. The average depth is very 
* Lecture delivered before the Nebraska Chapter of 
the Society of the Sigma Xi, February 14, 1901, by 
Professor C. C. Nutting, of the State University of 
Iowa. 
