Botany and Zoology. 413 
low mass, like the first stage of transformation into greensand, 
but the process seems to stop here. 
Of sponges quite a number were obtained, at least a dozen spe- 
cies, which have not yet been determined. Some of the detached 
icules are remarkable for their size; one, for instance, of the 
slender rectangulated sexradiate type of Bowerbank measuring 
more than half an inch. 
The vegetable kingdom was represented in this dredging a 
single specimen of a minute alga, Centroceras clavulatum Agardh., 
which Harvey says was found abundantly at low water mark at 
Key West. In its branchlets was entangled a chain of a species 
of Biddulphia. Other Diatoms are rather scarce and have not 
yet been determined. We therefore find here, also, a confirmation 
of the remark made in European seas, that vegetable life does not 
extend to depths as great as are reached by animals, and that, 
therefore, the greater number of deep-sea animals must be carni- 
vorous 
The dredge contained also a number of nodules of a very po- 
Tous limestone, similar in color and texture to the limestone form- 
Ing the range of low hills along the shore of Cuba, but composed 
apparently of the remains of the same animals which were found 
living. Thus our Deltocyathus, Caryophyllia, the various Ptero- 
pods were recognized in the stone, and found also in various stages 
of fossilization. The interstices between the larger forms are gen- 
erally filled up with Foraminifera. ‘ 
On May 25th the dredge was sent down in 350 fathoms, outside 
of the locality occupied on the 24th and 29th. It brought u 
y a few dead corals: Caryophyllia formosa, Deltocyathus 
Agassizii, Diplohelia profunda, the latter in numerous specimens 
see description). Also a fragment of the siliceous omens x a 
at of Eu- 
rt time, after which the ship drifted off into water too deep for 
d 
che 
3. Deep-Sea dredgings in the region of the Gulf Stream; by L.F. 
A Communicated by t f the Editors, 
; of the National Academy at Northampton. | ‘Ag the speqmmen 
et all been determined as yet, I can give here but a short 
* The article above noticed. 
