THE EUROPEAN SEAS. 



27 



mark its lingering presence. Its confines are yet 

 undetermined, and it is in the exploration of this 

 vast deep-sea region that the finest field for sub- 

 marine discovery yet remains. Such is the general 

 subdivision of the sea-bed as exhibited in the Euro- 

 pean seas j in the Mediterranean, however, as might 

 be expected, when we consider the peculiar condi- 

 tions under which that great land-locked basin is 

 placed, there are peculiarities in the distribution of 

 both animal and vegetable life which require special 

 consideration, and which we shall examine when we 

 come to the description of the Mediterranean pro- 

 vince. 



