PEEFACE. Vll. 



ago, to the effect that an eminent French zoologist, in 

 order to prosecute his studies on the marine animals of 

 the Mediterranean, had provided himself with a water- 

 tight dress, suitable spectacles, and a breathing tube ; so 

 that he might walk on the bottom in a considerable depth 

 of water, and mark the habits of the various creatures 

 pursuing their avocations. 



Whether a scheme so elaborate was really attempted I 

 know not ; but I should anticipate feeble results from it. 

 The Makine Aqtjabiitm, however, bids fair to supply 

 the required opportunities, and to make us acquainted 

 with the strange creatures of the sea, without diving to 

 gaze on them. In this volume I offer to the world a 

 small earnest, just the first fruits, of what may be looked 

 for, in increased knowledge of natural history, from this 

 invention. 



In some respects the present Volume may be considered 

 as a sequel and continuation of my "Rambles on the De- 

 vonshire Coast ;" inasmuch as it is conversant with similar 

 objects, and as I have made it assume somewhat of the 

 form of a personal, narrative ; sufficient, at least, to con- 

 stitute a link of connexion between myself and my reader, 

 not only in the things described, but also in the feelings 

 they excite in my own mind. 



But the subjects of the present work are principally 

 deep-sea animals, as those of the former were chiefly 

 littoral ; and even where the sphere of observation is the 

 same, the observations themselves are quite distinct, and 

 have to do with different creatures. A certain degree of 

 family likeness must prevail' in all out-of-door natural 

 history ; but so vast, and almost illimitable, is the field of 

 labour, that industry and faithfulness will always be re- 

 warded by fresh and interesting results. 



The following pages embrace a brief History of the 

 Marine Aquarium, as an application of scientific principles 



