Figure 18. Two nemertean worms, in the process of contraction, are viewed in the same vicinity as that 

 in figure 16. 



CONCLUSIONS 



Oceanographic, biological, and sea-floor studies in the Mediterranean by an Ameri- 

 can scientific team using a bathyscaph indicate that such a craft is very useful as a 

 deep-sea research vehicle. Observations in the mid-v/aters and on the sea floor clearly 

 shov^ that the bathyscaph can provide information not readily obtainable in any other 

 way. The combination of visual observations, supplemented by the utilization of human 

 judgment and the control of quantitative sampling and measuring devices, provides a 

 unique and revolutionary technique for the study of the deep sea. 



It is not intended to imply that the deep sea cannot be effectively investigated by 

 other means such as self-contained instrumentation, underwater television, or remotely 

 controlled equipment, but rather to point out the existence of the further potentialities 

 of the bathyscaph. The very fact that it now exists and does not require an expensive 

 or long period of development is indeed sufficient justification for its continued use. 



RECOMMENDA TIONS 



1. Continue deep-sea research using a bathyscaph. 



2. Encourage modification and further development of the bathyscaph and/or bathy- 

 scaph-type craft. 



3. Promote the development of more versatile deep-submersible research craft. 



4. Evaluate the usefulness of bathyscaphs and deep-submersible craft for military 

 purposes. 



5. Develop acoustic and oceanographic instrumentation for use on the bathyscaph. 



21 



