9 
manner the first breath of life was breathed into the first Zymotic, we 
know not. I have advanced an hypothesis which, if proved to be true, will 
show that even the morbid processes of nature.observe thesame law of develop- 
ment by evolution as is supposed by one of the first Naturalists of the age 
to apply to the whole of the animal and vegetable kingdoms. Pathological 
Anatomy and Organic Chemistry are not as yet sufficiently advanced to 
enable us to demonstrate the organic germs of these affections, and the 
nature of the subject (which prevents much being done by way of 
experiment) offers special obstacles. But there is no room for discourage- 
ment. Let us all try to throw what light we can, however feeble, on these 
enemies of our race, and the time'may come when they will be as extinct 
as the Dodo and the Megatherium.* 
III. 
Personal Experience of the Deep-Sea Dredging Expedition in 
H.M.S. Porcupine, prom Falmouth to Lisbon, in July, 1870. 
By Wm, Lant Carpenter, B.A., B.Sc., F.C.S. 
Read at the General Meeting February 2nd, 1871. 
Abstract. 
The equipment of the expedition was very nearly the same as in 1869, 
a few slight additions only being made, which the experience of the previous 
year had suggested. The Porcupine sailed from England on July 6th, 
under the command of Captain E. K. Calver, the scientific work being 
under the charge of Mr. J. Gwyn Jeffreys, F.E.S. ; the author having 
been entrusted with the chemical and some of the physical investigations. 
The first week was occupied in dredging on the slopes of the plateau on 
the edge of which Great Britain and Ireland rest, near the northern 
extremity of the Bay of Biscay, at depths ranging from 400 to 800 fathoms, 
which past experience had shewn to be usually the most biologically 
productive. Many forms of animal life were obtained which had been 
hitherto supposed to be confined to more northern latitudes. On one 
* Note, April 29th. — From observations of cases of Small Pox during 
the present epidemic I could add many facts in corroboration of the general 
hypothesis proposed. These would somewhat modify the relation of the 
zymoses to one another as regards time but instead of invalidating would 
greatly confirm the views advanced. They would also fully exonerate the 
early observers from any charge of ignorance. 
