SEA-BIBBS. 
93 
In the work-room was disclosed, by aid of the micro- 
scope, to the observer, an entirely new world in the 
economy of nature as displayed in animal life from 
the surface of the sea. 
During the passage many events took place 
which, although trivial in themselves, contributed 
to render the voyage less tedious and monotonous. 
Occasionally we spoke or sighted a vessel, or fell in 
with a barnacle-covered fragment of timber, which was 
secured and overhauled for the sake of any living 
creatures adhering to its sides. But what seemed to 
impart an extra interest to our every-day life, when 
clear of the Tropics, was the vast number of sea-birds 
constantly accompanying us, probably attracted by the 
numerous fragments of provisions thrown overboard. 
Cape pigeons, those prettily marked birds about 
the size of doves, the majestic albatross, stormy 
petrels of all sizes, follow on in motley groups, never 
seeming to weary in their search for food. These 
birds appear to possess a remarkable capacity for 
remembering the exact time when they are likely to 
get a feed, for day after day, soon after noon, the 
vicinity of the vessel was usually animated with 
their shrill shrieking and fighting with each other 
for the dainty morsels thrown overboard. 
The soundings appeared to indicate that a bank 
with about 2000 fathoms of water on it connects the 
Tristan Islands with the coast of South America. 
The dredgings were not quite so productive as had 
