Smyrna times., 1894-08-15
Taking Pictures Under The Sea.

Last year, DR.. l.. Bouton, Professor
of Zoology in a French University,
made some successful experiments in
submarine photography on the south
ern coats of France.
he has now resumed operations, this
time on the. Mediterranean, opposite
Banyuls-sur-mer, which is a French
geological station near the Spanish
frontier.
He claims that through his process
photography can be utilized at any
depth of water from shallow river
bed to hundreds of feet below the sur
face of the ocean.
In his experiments, Prof. Bouton
uses the ordinary outfit of photo
grapher, protected, of course, by water
proof covering. He puts on a regular
divers suit, and wears extra heavy
leaden shoes, SO as to get a good foot
hold.
The Leyden jars are placed in bar
re, (which is surmounted by bell-glass
provided with the necessary lamp. The
latter is spirit lamp, to which is at
tached a receptacle for the magnesium
powder connecting with the usual
pneumatic ball or tube.
The photographs are taken by the
instantaneous flash which follows the
scattering of powered magnesium into
the flame. There is branch tube con-
nected with the pneumatic ball, which
forces puff of air into the powder and
carries it into the flame, exposing the
lens at the moment of maximum light.
A beginner would, of cOuse, have
first accustomed himself to the divers
suit. 1t would be better not to enter
into deep water at first, but to select
some spot where you could wade in or
out without assistance. 1t would also
be better to begin the experiments in
clear streams with pure water The
bottom of some rivers would take all
the enthusiasm out of the most pro-
nOunced Kodak worshiper.
The neighborhOod of Banyuls-sur-
mer, where Prof Bouton is now operat-
ing, was inhabited by ancient Romans
and the ruins of some of the splendid
structures that once stood on the sea
shore have now found place of rest
beneath the waters.
Many strange objects attract the eye
away down among those picturesque
surroundings. In beautifully sculp.
tured palace niche, partly covered by
mud and prettily-colored shells, is {
cuttlefsh, which sends out a stream o
dark fluid when the magnesium light
from the camera strikes it.
Sea mice are everywhere; but they
cannot run-they only creep along the
bottom of the sea. They are FIVE inches
long and are one or two broad. Theil
backs are covered with black, silky
hair, brilliantly iridescent, and having
the appearance of matted felt. They
have luminous eyes, and, seen in some
dark caverns and crevices, the effect il
very startling.
Prof. BOuton's pictures have attracted
much attention in scientific circles, be-
ing looked upon as the forerunner of &
new era of development of deep-wate
researches. An expedition was sen
out by the British Government on the
Challenger, in 1872, and many nev
specimens of deep-sea products wer
discovered. There is now a movemen
on foot to start q similar expedition
and if it was equipped with sub-marin,
Photographic Instruments, electri
lights and other apparatus, valuabl
results would doubtless be obtained.
Submarine pictures will have an in
terest for men of science; and diver:
instead of cropping about to ascertain
the extent and nature of damage don
to a sunken vessel, will simply carr
: a camera down and take pictures.
There would be a good deal of fun i
taking one of these cameras to a sea
side resort during the summer. Yo
could dive to the bottom, secure
comfortable spot, and take pictures {
your friends swimming above you.
the seaserpent came along, you cOul
take his picture, and convince skeptica
q people that he really exists.
! Prof. Bouton's discovery will n
doubt become very popular.