1882.] On the Formation of Ripplemaik. 15 



is affected by heavy gales ? — Yes ; I think the ground is very much 

 disturbed by heavy gales. 



(2.) Do you find the fish act differently after gales, i.e., swim higher 

 or lie closer ? — I think that fish are affected during the gale, but that 

 after the gale they resume their usual habits. 



Captain Kiddle, of the White Star steamer " Celtic," writes 

 (" Nat,," vol. 13, p. 108) that " On George's Shoals, off Nantucket, 

 during a heavy gale, the New York pilots and masters of coasting 

 vessels assert that sand is frequently left on deck after a sea has 

 broken on board, although the depth of water may be 12 or 14 



fathoms The shortness of the sea on the banks of 



Newfoundland, where the soundings are from 30 to 50 fathoms, is 

 noticed by all the navigators of the Western Atlantic, as it reduces 

 the speed of an ocean steamer more than the heavier waves of deeper 



water will do In the gulf stream north of the Straits of 



Bemine, after a "norther " has blown a few hours, the surface of the 

 sea is covered with lanes of weed, although only a few patches might 

 have been seen before the commencement of the gale." 



Before passing on, it will be well to point out that the disturbance 

 of the bottom on the banks of Newfoundland has strong zoological 

 evidence in its favour. Mr. J. Gwyn Jeffreys, F.R.S., writes as 

 follows of the bivalve Mya truncata. " The cod on the North American 

 fishing banks seem to be equally fond of this mollusc ; but it is not 

 so easy to say how they procure it. Mya truncata is often buried from 

 8 to 10 inches below the sea-bottom ; and it does not seem to be 

 capable of changing its habitation."* 



Now, I have taken this very mollusc alive in Torbay after easterly 

 gales, and I have taken flat fish that have been feeding on Cardium 

 aculeatum killed by heavy seas. If channel seas can dislodge Mya 

 truncata from its deep burrow in Torbay, there is every probability 

 that Atlantic seas will dislodge it occasionally on the banks of New- 

 foundland. The seaman's assertion solves the problem that has per- 

 plexed the naturalist, and the fact observed and recorded by the 

 naturalist strongly corroborates the statement and conclusion of the 

 sailor. 



The evidence hitherto adduced goes far to prove that at depths of 

 about 40 fathoms in the English Channel and of 50 on the Banks oc 

 Newfoundland there is not only motion at the bottom, but strong 

 motion, far exceeding the gentle oscillation of the water that is sufficient 

 to ripple a sandy sea-bed. According to Sir Charles Lyell, quoting from 

 the " Encyclopaedia Britannica," a current of but 6 inches per second 

 will suffice to raise fine sand.f This no doubt refers to constant 

 currents, as it is far in excess of what is sufficient in the case of alter- 



* " British Conehologv," vol. iii, p. 69. 



f " Principles of Geology," vol. i, p. 348, 10th edition. 



