CHAP, in.] THE CRUISES OF THE ' porcupine: 93 



of all the types of marine invertebrata ; though 

 undoubtedly in rery deep water the number of species 

 procured of the higher groups was greatly reduced, 

 and in many cases the individuals appeared to be 

 dwarfed. From these observations (which thoroughly 

 corroborated those of Dr. Wallich and others, about 

 which there had been some difference of opinion on 

 account of the imperfection of the appliances at the 

 command of the observers), we concluded that prob- 

 ably in no part of the ocean were the conditions so 

 altered by depth as to preclude the existence of 

 animal life, — that life had no bathymetrical limit. 

 Still we could not consider the question thoroughly 

 settled ; and when upon consultation with Captain 

 Calver we found him perfectly ready to attempt any 

 depth, and from his previous experience sanguine of 

 success, we determined to apply to the Hydrographer 

 to sanction an attempt to dredge in the deepest sound- 

 ings within our reach, viz. 2,500 fathoms indicated 

 on the chart 250 miles west of Ushant. The deepest 

 reliable soundings do not go much beyond 3,000 

 fathoms ; and we felt that if we could establish the 

 existence of life, and if we could determine the 

 conditions with accuracy down to 2,500 fathoms, the 

 general question would be virtually solved for all 

 depths of the ocean, and any further investigation of 

 its deeper abysses would be mere matter of curiosity 

 and of detail. The Hydrographer cordially acquiesced 

 in this change of plan ; and on the I7th of July the 

 ' Porcupine' left Belfast under the scientific direction 

 of the writer ; Mr. Hunter, F.O.S., Chemical Assistant 

 in Queen's College, Belfast, taking charge of the 

 examination and analysis of the sea- water. 



