1896.] Fossils and Fossilization. 997 
The explanation of this fact has hardly advanced further 
than the theoretical stage. It may be attributed to the dis- 
solving agency of carbonic anhydride in the lower strata of 
water, to the insidious action of the products of organic 
change, which Julien seems inclined to exaggerate, or to the 
more ordinary factors of animal consumption. Prof. Verrill 
and Mr. Sanderson Smith hold that the disappearance of bone 
in the ocean is due to its being attacked and eaten by crusta- 
cea.’ If this is true and solution has no practical bearing as 
an agent in their disappearance, it seems likely that some 
maceration and softening produced by pressure and soakage 
reduce the bone to such a consistency as to render it more 
easily attacked by these animals, and incidentally render the 
bones themselves liable to separation and absorption by the 
sea waters. It is peculiar that while great numbers of shells 
are raised from the bottom of the ocean, the same areas seldom 
or never produce mammalian relics, the otoliths or ear bones 
of whales, and the teeth of sharks excepted. The skeletons 
of sharks and fishes might naturally undergo softening or be- 
come from their semicartilaginous nature the prey of smaller 
animals, but the hard parts of whales seem well calculated to 
resist attack. These larger animals upon their death may be 
dragged by submarine currents into the deeper parts of the 
ocean and there become subjected to a stronger chemical action 
than is observable at less depths. The theory of Mr. Murray 
as to the formation of coral reefs would make it appear that 
bottom waters contain more carbonic acid than those on the 
surface, but this Prof. Dittmar’ calls in question, thinking that 
solution is effected by the prolonged contact with the sea water 
itself. At any rate “the alkalinity of bottom waters was 
*It is a matter of some interest to learn that “remains of the Atlantic Walrus 
in a fossil state, have been found at various points along the Atlantic Coast from 
Maine to South Carolina, and in Europe as far south as England and France ” 
(J. A, Allen). The most striking instance is that of a skull found on the sea 
beach at Long Branch, New Jersey, of which Dr. Leidy said it “ has lost a por- 
sion of the cranium proper, and the exserted portion of one -= but otherwise, 
except being a little water worn, is in a good state of preservation,” 
? The Physics and Chemistry of the voyage of H. M.S. Challenges Vol. I, pt. 
1, Composition of Ocean Water by Prof. W. Dittmar. 
