Botany and Zoology. 419 
collected at every 50 fathoms, from 400 fathoms ae o the bottom at 
862 fathoms, the percentage results being as follow 
750 tath. 800 fath, Sey 862 fath. 
Oxygen w\gla 18°8 178 17°2 
- = 493 43-5 34.5 
Carbonic acid - 319 33°7 48-3 
The extraordinarily augmented percentage of carbonic acid in 
the stratum of water kane Saceidaiate overlying the sea-bed was 
accompanied by a great abundance of ani On the other 
d, the mavene Sip it of carbonic acid found in bottom-water 
—Vviz as accompanied by a “very bad haul.” I ral 
prediction iy in every instance correct. 
It would pe therefore, that the increase in the propertses 
the 
And it is further obvious that the continued co no oxy- 
gen and liberation of carbonic acid would soon paar the stratum 
of water immediately ‘above the bottom completely irrespirable 
in the absence of any antagonistic process of vegetation—were it 
not for the upward diffusion of the carbonic acid through the in- 
ae ee waters to the su surface, an and the downward diffusion of 
e se sete of carbonic acid and oxygen in the swr- 
pas raring a icttion’ o be accounted for in part by the differ- 
ences in the amount nate chasittne of the animal life existing 
calm weather, showed so decided a reduction in the eerie of 
carbonic acid, with an increase in that of ie date — the oa 
should not be thrown out as erroneous; 
