PREFACE
This little book makes no profession to be a systematic text-book of Oceanography, or to contain exhaustive discussions of the latest discoveries and theories. The subject is far too vast to be so dealt with in one small volume. A library would almost be needed for the purpose.
Much information has been gained within the last decade or two of years about the Ocean, its make, the laws which govern its movements, its dark and mysterious depths, the various deposits upon its bed, and the innumerable living creatures by which it is inhabited. All that I have attempted has been to cull a certain number of leading facts from the great storehouse of knowledge, and to put them in order, for the many who love sea-breezes and ocean-waves, and who may like to know a little more about the friend whom they so often visit.
With regard to Authorities, I must acknowledge my indebtedness to the following books, among many others:The Realm of Nature, by Dr. H. R. Mill;Report of the Scientific Results of the Voyage ofH.M.S.Challenger—Deep Sea; Coral Reefs, by Professor Dana;Standard Natural History, edited by J. S. Kingsley;The Microscope, by Carpenter, revised edition;British Merchant Service, by R. J. Cornwall-Jones;Resources of the Sea, by McIntosh;Harvest of the Sea, by J. G. Bertram; also numerous papers and articles in theGeographical Magazine,National Geographical Magazine,Scottish Geographical Magazine,Proceedings of Royal Society of Edinburgh,Annual Report of Smithsonian Institution,Natural Science, etc., etc., by such writers as Sir John Murray, Dr. H. R. Mill, Professor James Geikie, Albert Prince of Monaco, Admiral Sir W. H. L. Wharton, Mr. John Milne, Mr. A. Günther, Mr. John Aitkin, etc.
In conclusion, I beg heartily to thank the Librarians of the Royal Geographical Society and the Zoological Society of London for thegenerous courtesy with which they have lent me books and supplied latest information, without which this little book could never have been written; also to express my warm gratitude for the invaluable help afforded by the criticisms and suggestions of the kind and able friends who have read myMS.and proofs.
Worton House, Eastbourne.
Worton House, Eastbourne.