1868.] 



on Deep-sea Dredgings. 



191 



represented by the Globigerina-shells ; and there appears good reason to 

 regard them as rather representing Diatoms which have lived at or near the 

 surface, and have only subsided to the bottom after death, than organisms 

 which habitually live and grow in the ocean-depths. It may be that the 

 Bathybius (which bears a very striking resemblance to the Rhizopod-like 

 mycelium of the Myxogastric Fungi) has so far the attributes of a Vege- 

 table, that it is able to elaborate Organic Compounds out of the materials 

 supplied by the medium in which it lives, and thus to provide sustenance 

 for the Animals imbedded in its midst. But to whichever of these two 

 Kingdoms we refer it, there seems adequate reason for regarding this 

 Bathybius as one of the chief instruments whereby the solid material of 

 the Calcareous mud which it pervades is separated from its solution in 

 the ocean-waters *. 



In connexion with this subject it may be suggested, as a subject well 

 worthy of experimental inquiry, to what depth the Actinic rays penetrate 

 Sea-water in sufficient intensity to produce an appreciable effect on a highly 

 sensitive surface. Certain it is that among the Animals brought up from 

 great depths, bright colours are not wanting. This was noticed by Dr. 

 Wallich in the case of the Ophiocomce brought up from 1260 fathoms. 

 And not only did the Asfrojiecten, which came up on our dredge-line from 

 500 fathoms, at once attract attention by its bright orange-red hue, but 

 the small Annelids which inhabited the Siliceous Sponge brought up from 

 650 fathoms were distinguished by the vividness of their red or green 

 coloration. 



VI. Our researches have brought out with remarkable force the resem- 

 blance between this Calcareous deposit and the great Chalk-formation, 

 which had been previously pointed out by Prof. Bailey, Prof. Huxley, and 

 Dr. Wallich, but more particularly by Mr. Sorby f, who identified the 



* The discovery of this indefinite plasrnodimn, covering a wide area of the existing 

 Sea-bottom, should afford a remarkable confirmation, to such (at least) as still think 

 confirmation necessary, of the doctrine of the Organic origin of the Serpentine-Lime- 

 stone of the Laurentian Formation. For if Bathybius, like the testaceous Khizopods, 

 could form for itself a shelly envelope, that envelope would closely resemble Eozoon. 

 Further, as Prof. Huxley has proved the existence of Bathybius through a great range 

 not merely of depth but of temperature, I cannot but think it probable that it has existed 

 continuously in the deep seas of all Geological Epochs. And so far, therefore, from con- 

 sidering that the discovery of Eozoonal RocJc in the Liassic or even in Tertiary Strata, 

 would (as asserted by Profs. King and Powney in a Paper recently presented to the 

 Geological Society) be a conclusive disproof of its Organic origin, I am fully prepared 

 to believe that Eozoon, as well as Bathybius, may have maintained its existence through 

 the whole duration of Geological Time, from its first appearance to the present Epoch ; 

 and should be not in the least surprised at bringing it up from 1000 or 2000 fathoms, 

 if I should be enabled to dredge at those depths. There must have been deep seas at 

 all periods ; and the considerations stated in Par. IX. show that the continuity of Or- 

 ganic types is perfectly consistent with great local changes. Of such continuity there is 

 now ample evidence. 



f " On the Organic Origin of the so-called Crystalloids of the Chalk," in ' Ann. of Nat. 

 Hist.' ser. 3, vol. viii. (1861) p. 52. 



