532 Mr. J. Murray on some Surface Organisms examined 



of these have been imbedded in over an inch of the manganese, arranged 

 in concentric layers, while others have had just a trace of manganese on 

 them, or none at all. We have every reason to suppose that the aggre- 

 gation of the manganese around these relics is a very slow process, and 

 that consequently the occurrence of these deeply imbedded and recent 

 teeth and tympanies in the same surface-layers argues strongly in favour 

 of an exceedingly slow rate of deposition. These vertebrate remains are 

 most abundant where the manganese abounds, but occur also in the red 

 and grey clays, especially in those the furthest from the land, and where 

 we may suppose the rate of deposition to be reduced to a minimum. 



In the Globigerina, Radiolarian, and Diatom oozes we have found 

 during the whole cruise only one or two shark's teeth and perhaps one 

 tympanic bone. In shore-deposits they were even more rare. These 

 facts, taken with others that will at once suggest themselves, go to show, 

 as might be expected, that the shore-deposits accumulate faster than the 

 organic oozes, and these last faster than the deep-sea clay. The organ- 

 isms in our Badiolarian ooze appear to resemble very closely and in their 

 relative proportions those described from the Barbadoes earth. Those 

 described from the Oran deposit in Algeria are very like those in the 

 blue muds taken along the course of the Japan stream. The Globigerina- 

 oozes which we get in shallow water resemble the chalk much more than 

 those in deeper water, say over 1000 fathoms. It is possible that deposits 

 similar to those taking place in deep water, far away from the great con- 

 tinental anticlines, may never have been elevated into dry land. 



In conclusion, large quantities of the various bottoms have been stored 

 with a view to future work, and a large amount of material bearing on 

 the subjects treated of in this Preliminary Report have been accumulated. 

 When these come to be carefully examined and compared, with the aid 

 of appliances and conveniences not to be had on board ship, many of the 

 statements herein made may require to be altered and amended, and 

 other facts and relations, more curious and interesting than any hinted 

 at, may be revealed. 



2. Preliminary Report on some Surface Organisms and their relation 

 to Ocean Deposits. 



Throughout the cruise of the ' Challenger,' and especially during the 

 past two years, tow-nets have been dragged through the surface and 

 deep waters of the sea on every possible occasion. The contents of the 

 nets, so far as known, have been carefully noted, and many hundreds of 

 preparations have been made with the view of illustrating the organisms 

 occurring in different regions and at various depths. Many new animals 

 have been discovered, and many curious relations brought to light. It 

 is not now possible to give any descriptions or to report fully with any 

 success or satisfaction on such an extended series of observations. 



