280 



tiijl depths of the sea. 



[CHAF. VI, 



and the fact tliat there is an ab\.indaut and charac- 

 teristic invertebrate fauna at all depths Avas placed 

 beyond further question. As yet, little more can be 

 said. A grand new tield of inquiry has been ojoened 

 up, but its culture is terribly laborious. Every haul 

 of the dredge brings to light new and unfamiliar 

 forms — forms which link themselves strangely Avitli 

 tlie inhabitants of past periods in the earth's history ; 

 but as yet we have not the data for generalizing the 

 deep-sea fauna, and speculating on its geological 

 and biological relations ; for notwitlistanding all our 

 strength and will, the area of the l;>ottom of the 

 deep sea which has been fairly dredged may still 

 be reckoned by the square yard. 



'^^^QS^S^S^^^^^im^^^ 



ri:i;i.u "from thi; eastern shoui: <m- videru 



