i9i i] OCEAN LIFE 315 
temperatures, &c., of surface waters must be the important 
factors. Why should biologists strive for deeper layers ? 
Why should not deep sea life be maintained by dead 
vegetable matter ?) 
Here again the lecturer branched off into descriptions 
of water bottles, deep sea thermometers, and current-meters, 
the which I think have already received some notice in 
this Diary. To what depth light may extend is the 
difficult problem, and we had some speculation, especially 
in the debate on this question. Simpson suggested that 
laboratory experiment should easily determine. Atkinson 
suggested growth of bacteria on a scratched plate. The 
idea seems to be that vegetable life cannot exist without 
red rays, which probably do not extend beyond 7 feet or so. 
Against this is an extraordinary recovery of Holosphera 
Viridis by German expedition from 2000 fathoms; this 
seems to have been confirmed. Bowers caused much 
amusement by demanding to know ' If the pyenogs 
(pyenogonids) were more nearly related to the arachnids 
(spiders) or crustaceans.' As a matter of fact a very 
sensible question, but it caused amusement because of its 
sudden display of long names. Nelson is an exceedingly 
capable lecturer ; he makes his subject very clear and is 
never too technical. 
Thursday, June 15.— Keen cold wind overcast sky 
till 5.30 p.m. Spent an idle day. 
Jimmy Pigg had an attack of colic in the stable this 
afternoon. He was taken out and doctored on the 
floe, which seemed to improve matters, but on return to 
the stable he was off his feed. 
