The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1881-11-04

Then they explored the shallow wa
ters near laud, at different points and
finally proceeded farther out into
deeper water till they came to tho Gulf
Stream, one hundred and twenty-five
miles or moro from shore. These in
designations were made by means of
peculiarly shaped nets which were so
constructed that they could obtain the
animal life at different depths from
surface to bottom. AT the Same time
that they were getting these animals
they measured the depth of the sea by
means of certain mechanical contri-
vance attached to the side of the boat
To the sounding cord, which was made
of wire, was attached thermometer to
determine the temperature of the wa
| ter at different depths. 1t was found
that the temperature of the water in
the deep sea was very different at diff
ferent depths. AT the surface of the
Gulf stream ii was found that the mer-
curry stood at 700, whereas, at the bot
tom, Il mile below, at 80 1-2 Q.
This difference was caused by counter
currents from the north and south.
One hundred and fifty varieties of ami
NAL life which had never been seen be-
! fore twerc found in one day. There
| were animals of all the zones from the
tropics to the poles. Most of the ami
mails taken from the bottom of the
deep sea were found dead on being
taken out, having been killed by the
sudden relief of pressure. Two or
three, however, were kept alive and
put into the tanks al the laboratory
where they lived for some weeks. A
few specimens of animal life obtained
by these naturalists, were here on OK
hibition last week, some of which arc
very rarely found in museums, includ-
ing the sea pen, which grows in the
form of feather, and another which
grows in the shape of tree, both of
which are colonies of animals instead
of single animals. Also specimen of
octopus, or devil fish, generally called
the cutie fish, which is characterized
by the presence of an ink bag which is
filled with black or brown sepia, q sub !
stance which the animal elects when
pursued, SO as to conceal itself from
view by coloring the water. This sub
stance was formerly much nsed in max !
ing India ink. Also specimens of
squid, star fish and crabs, including |
the helmet crab, which crawls into the |
shell of some other animal and uses it
as home. The naturalists take the
animals TO their laboratory and exam
inc their form and structure, observe
their habits, methods of feeding and
defence, and make record where they
are found, the temperature of The wa
ter where they were found, and other
circumstances concerning their life.
The government is now constructing a
larger ship for still further, investiga-
tons, for it is not safe to venture out
very far with the small boat which
they have used. When this is compile
ted it is proposed to explore the sea at
greater distances from land and at
greater depths.
EAST NTIDDLEBURY.
"A family occupies A. P. Tupper's
office.
S. G. Tisdale is adding 10 his saw
mill provender mill with two runs of
stone.
We learn that Mr.. Upper has sold
all the Terrence farm on the north side
of the road to Il. +. Ripley.
Mr.. Paro, the blacksmith, has
bought and moved into the III. G. Ses-
sions house and will work at bis trade.