1898-99.] Soundings obtained by s.s. ‘ Britannia .’ 425 
From an inspection of the two samples sent ns by Mr Peake 
(one wet, one dry), it is impossible to say whether there were two 
layers at the bottom, and, if so, whether the yellow ooze or the 
green sandy material formed the upper layer ; the yellow material 
occurs in small patches surrounded by the sandy material. It is 
probable that the bottom was originally covered by Glohigerina 
Ooze, and that subsequently a submarine eruption took place, the 
volcanic mineral matter resulting therefrom being brought up mixed 
with the ooze in such abundance that the deposit must he called a 
Volcanic Mud. The volcanic debris is apparently not widespread, 
for the neighbouring deposits are Blue Muds in similar depths to the 
north-east, and Pteropod Oozes in shallower depths to the south-east. 
S.S. ‘Britannia,’ No. 74, 10th November 1897. Lat. 17° 57' 30" N., 
long. 75° 49' 30" W., 653 fathoms. 
Fragment of branching Coral (1 cm. in diameter), much decom- 
posed and coated and impregnated by peroxide of manganese. 
This fragment is similar to what was obtained by H.M.S. 
‘ Challenger ’ at two stations in the north-east Atlantic, between 
the Canary and Cape Verde Islands (Stations 3 and 85, 1525 and 
1125 fathoms),* except that in this case the decomposition of the 
internal parts of the coral is much further advanced, so that the 
structure is almost entirely lost. A few fragments of a similar 
Corallium , coated with manganese, were obtained by the ‘ Blake ’ 
off the north coast of Haiti, in 772 fathoms. f 
S.S. ‘Britannia,’ No. 89, 17th November 1897. Lat. 21° 46' 24"N., 
long. 71° 3' 54" W., 2037 fathoms. 
GLOBIGERINA OOZE, of a grey colour. 
Calcium Carbonate [63*43%], pelagic Foraminifera (including 
Hastigerina and many Candeina nitida ), bottom-living 
Foraminifera, Pteropod and Heteropod fragments, Ostra- 
codes, Echini spines, otoliths of fishes, coccoliths, rhab- 
doliths. 
* See Murray and Renard, Deep-Sea Deposits Chall. Exp ., pp. 41, 61, 149, and 
153. 
+ See Murray, Bull. Mas. Comp. Zool vol. xii. p. 46, 1885. 
YOL. XXII. 16/3/99 2 E 
