METHODS OF CAPTURE 265 



which they may find are likely to be of interest and 

 value to specialists. The methods of dredging and 

 trawling are explained in Chapter IX. of this volume, 

 and we need only mention here the importance of 

 carefully sifting the dredged material. The contents 

 of the finest sieves should be preserved in bulk for 

 subsequent examination in the laboratory. It is 

 astonishing what a wealth of living things may often 

 be found by this method in mud which seems at first 

 sight to be barren of life. It need hardly be said that 

 the precise locality of each haul should be carefully 

 noted, and, what is even more important, the exact 

 depth and temperature recorded where possible. 



A rare opportunity of obtaining specimens from 

 the greatest depths of the oceans is afforded in the 

 course of repairing deep-sea telegraph cables. These 

 are often encrusted with sponges, corals, barnacles, 

 and other organisms, while Crustacea, Mollusca and 

 Echinoderms are brought up clinging to them. The 

 preservation of such specimens would yield much 

 information regarding the fauna at depths which are 

 otherwise only to be reached by costly and elaborately 

 equipped expeditions. 



Fig. 191. — Caprella, a Ghost Shrimp. 

 (After Wyville Thomson.) 



