54 
CRUISE OF HALS. CHALLENGER. 
as to form one continuous length of 3000 to 4000 
fathoms, and is kept coiled away in a large rack, 
conveniently situated for use. These lines are 
marked at each 100 fathoms in the same manner as 
the sounding line. 
FlG. 9 . 
The dredges (Fig. 9) supplied consisted of an iron 
frame, and were of three sizes, 5, 4, and 3 feet in 
length, and from 15 to 9 inches in width. The iron 
frame, to which was secured the hag or net, is in- 
tended to skim the surface of the bottom, and the 
