22 ANtflVERSAEY ADDEESS. 



fathoms dredged up a " representative of the fossil genus Porocl- 

 daris " (this is an Echinodcrm, having four known fossil species — 

 one Jurassic, two Nummulitic, and one Miocene) ; with another 

 retaining its lustre, allied to Calveria. 



On the 17th June, in 34° 50' S. and 155° 28' E., from a depth of 

 2,000 fathoms, were dredged a Bryozoa, a Crangon, and spicule of 

 Hyalcea. 



18th June, 2,625 fathoms were sounded ; next day, 2,G00 

 fathoms, 720 miles N."W\ of Cape Farewell in New Zealand. 

 20th June, in 37° 1' S. and 160° 42' E., 2,600 fathoms. 21st June, 

 in 37° 58' S. and 163° 39' E., 2,000 fathoms. Here began the long 

 slope upwards to New Zealand. 22nd June, in 37° 58' S. and 

 166° 19' E., the depth was reduced to 1,100 ; and on 23rd, in 38° 52' 

 S. and 171° 48' E. to 275 fathoms. Here were dredged two speci- 

 mens of Nephrons, much resembling many ancient crabs. On 

 24th June, in 39° 32' S. and 171° 48' E., in 150 fathoms, a decapod 

 (Ibacus) and yesterday's crabs were dredged. 25th June, off 

 Cape Farewell, in 39 fathoms. 



From the above is deduced : 



1. That the south-east coast of Australia has a precipitous fall. 



2. That New Zealand is separated from it by a channel which 

 has a depth of 15,600 feet. 



3. That the latter rises gradually from the sea. 



Another set of soundings was obtained, between Sydney and 

 Cook's Strait, at 17 miles from the land on the Australian side. 

 The 100 fathoms ledge fell to 2,100 fathoms at 57 miles distant, 

 about 1 in 20, which is less abrupt than is the fall southward of 

 Twofold Bay, which is 1 in 6. The bottom of soft ooze then 

 sloped down to a depth of 2,000 fathoms, at 240 miles from the 

 coast, the temperature being 33° F., the same conditions continu- 

 ing for 140 miles. From this depth there is a gentle upward 

 slope of soft ooze for 400 miles, until soundings were obtained in 

 1,100 fathoms, at 780 miles from Sydney, and 335 miles from the 

 entrance to Cook's Strait. Between that position and New Zea- 

 land, soundings below 400 fathoms with hard bottom were 



