100 
days. A second object of the expedition was to ascertain the 
temperature of the sea at great depths. For this purpose, they 
sank three thermometers at each trial, and on account of the 
uncertainty of registering minimum thermometers, no observation 
in which at least two of them did not agree was relied upon. 
They were much astonished to find in one series of observations 
that at a depth of 500 fathoms the temperature of the sea was 
only 32° Fahr., for other observers, Sir John Herschel and Dr. 
Wallich, had given 39° Fahr., as the lowest deep-sea temperature. 
This cold temperature did not extend beyond a limited area ; for 
on each side of it, and also further westward, the temperature 
was much higher; and they supposed it to be due to a cold 
current from the north, meeting here with the Gulf Stream, which 
latter then passes in a forked direction on each side of the cold 
area. The range of the surface temperature was from 50° to 
54° Fahr., generally about 52° Fahr. 
It has long been an interesting question whether animal life 
existed in the sea beyond a very limited depth. Sir John Eoss 
more than fifty years ago brought up a star-fish from a depth said 
to be 1000 fathoms, but which was probably 700 or 800 fathoms. 
It was subsequently stated by the late Professor Forbes that 
animal life could not exist below 300 fathoms, and his dictum was 
for a long time generally accepted by the scientific world : but the 
remarkable results recently obtained by Professor Sars at a depth 
of 450 fathoms had completely disproved the statements made by 
Professor Forbes. 
Dredging having commenced they came upon a sand bank at a 
depth of 480 fathoms, where the temperature was 49° Fahr., and 
which they found contained abundance of Foraminifera. At a 
depth of 530 fathoms they got a good dredge of Globigerime mud, 
which was found to contain Coccoliths, Coccospheres, new Bhizo- 
pods, Molluscs, Crustacea, Crinoids, &c., together with masses of 
siliceous sponges which wfeen washed had a most beantiful appear- 
ance. By another dredge at 650 fathoms they brought up this 
GlobigerinsD mud containing all the varieties of Foraminifera, 
Crustacea, Sponges, Ehizopods, &c., found in previous dredgings, 
but not in such great abundance. This is the greatest depth from 
which such living species have been recovered. The Globigerinse 
mud, which they found very widely extended, is of a very viscid 
character, aad consists of a kind of protoplasmic network in which 
is imbedded the Globigerinae, Coccoliths and other calcareous 
particles. A portion of this mud has been submitted to Professor 
Huxley, and his examination confirms the view taken of it 
expressed in his paper in the last number of the ‘ Quarterly Jour- 
nal of Microscopal Science.’ Their opinion, therefore, is, that 
given a w r arm temperature and a gradual subsidence, animal 
life quay exist at any depth. He closed his observations by sug- 
gesting that there should be no discussion, as he had brought no 
paper before the Society, and discussion would no doubt ensue 
when his paper was read before the Boyal Society. 
