The weekly tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1891-1894, 1892-09-17
BELOW OCEAN WAVES
LIFE At GREAT AND ALMOST UN-
RATIONALE DEPTHS.

Strange and Startling Structures of the
Denizens of the Deep-Creatur-s Way
Down Have Been Crowded from the
Surface of the Sea.
For a century or more naturalists have
known a great deal concerning the
marine organisms which dwell in the
shallow water next the shore. They
long ago learned the amazing richness
Of these ~littoral forms. The census of
species mounts now to more than 100. 900
distinct forms; it is, however, of late
that they have ascertained that the deep
er parts of the ocean floors have also an
abundant and varied peopling. The
greater part Of these shore jewellers are
exceedingly intolerant of the enormous
pressure of the deeper waters, as well as
OF the low temperature and total dark
ness which exists there.
Certain forms have, however, acquired
the ability to Withstand these peculiar
conditions, as generation by generation
through the geologic ages they have
crept away from the realms of fierce
combat next the shores t. the less con-
tested fields of the open and deeper
seas. Through all the geologic ages
this selection Of especially prepared
groups for the singular stations or hab-
its Of the ocean depths has been going
on. with the result that those dark and
pressure burdened regions are now ten
anted by eminently peculiar animals,
by species which ever surprise the stu
dent who - accustomed alone to the
forms which dwell neal the shore.
One of the most striking features con-
nected with the animals of the deep
seas Is the frequency with which we
n their living specimens which remind
us OF kinds which in former geologic
periods dwelt in the coastal districts of
the oceans Il seems that many of these
ancient creatures, when they could no
longer hold their own against the more
highly organized and developed animals
which inhabited the favored stations
next the shores, shrunk away into the
deep water. and in that undesired part
of the world found an asylum, where,
amid the changeless environment. they
have dwelt for ages unaltered. Thus
the vast protounds of the deep have he
come Il sort of a~lmshouse, whereuntO
antiquated forms have retired before
the overwhelming pressure which the
newer and higher life ever imposes or
It's ancestors.
From the results Of the relatively tri-
fling explorations which have yet been
,t,nln fll,a ....,,. ,r-Al rnnr,,, g 49,.
that in time We may win from the deep
the nearest living representations of
many creatures which Once occupied a
large place III the seas, but now have
abandoned the fields Of more active com
bat, which are usually the seat Of the
greatest advance.
In the ~prufounder seas the invertebrates
life appears to have larger share than
is secured by the vertebrate or back
boned ANIMALS; yet there are Il number
Of fishes known in these depths, and it
seems likely that these tenants of the
deep may tc numbered by thousands cf
species. Among the filmed tenants Of
the profoundcr parts Of the ocean We
find the most startling departures from
a'iN > u !" a. w 1 itAlialliAl al
coastal waters. In general shape they
differ little from their kindred which
dwell in the sunlit shadows.
The differences are largely in the
mechanism of the senses. especially OF
the eyes. These organs undergo sur
priSiu@ variations with reference To the
enduring Of the darkness Of these decps.
In certain of the species the sight not
only fails. bat the visual apparatus en-
tirclv disappears; iii others the cyeball
becomes very much enlarged aud the
nervous npi"r@tu9 incraSsatcd, and are
evidently ;lD.ngui 10 catch mere gliHp-
sss of the light. AS it is certain that no
trace of sunlight can ever penetrate
through the deep which overlieS the
realm Where these animals dwell, the
adaptation of these eyes to the needs Of
different vision at first appeared to he Il
very incxpliclbIe matter.
Some recent discoveries provide us
with what seems to he an adequate cE-
PLANTATION of the enigma. 1t has been
found that certain Of the dcni2"ns OF
the deep sea floors have phosphorcsccnt
parts of their bodies which serve to
give light IN "a manner i'll which it Is
yielded by the familiar t~irciiics and
glowwormS
The end secured by these light giving
parts is probably the attraction of the
sexual mates Of the creatures. In the
utter darkness of the ocean this indis-
pensable end could be attained in 20
other way.-Professor n. $. Shaler in
Scribner's.
what Indians Worship.
The natural contiguration of iIahy
mountains suggests the human face.
and such physiognomies cut ont of the