The Three Cruises of the “Blake”

MURRAY, JOHN

doi:10.1038/040361a0

Books Received
Published: 15 August 1889

The Three Cruises of the “Blake”

JOHN MURRAY

Nature volume 40, pages 361–362 (1889)Cite this article

41 Accesses
Metrics details

Abstract

IN these profusely illustrated volumes there is presented to the general reading public the best and most comprehensive account of recent oceanographical investigations and speculations that has as yet been attempted. These volumes have, moreover, a special value for all who interest themselves in deep-sea researches, from the descriptions that are given of the work carried on with so much ability and industry by Mr. Agassiz and his fellow-countrymen on the eastern and southern sea-boards of the United States and in the West Indian seas. The volumes abound with novel and ingenious views bearing on nearly all the physical and biological phenomena of the ocean; and, whether we agree with the writer or not, his opinions are none the less welcome and suggestive, coming as they do from one who has for many years taken a large part in the practical work connected with the observations which he here undertakes to describe and discuss. It does not seem possible to over-estimate the credit due to the Government and the men who initiated and have carried through this excellent and extensive hydrographical survey of the deeper waters surrounding the eastern shores of North America, nor to value too highly the resulting additions to human knowledge. These positive additions to our knowledge of the ocean will be fully acknowledged and appreciated by all who desire to trace the causes that have led to the development of the surface features of the earth and the existing conditions of life on our globe.

The Three Cruises of the “Blake.” Two Vols.

By Alexander Agassiz. Bulletin of the Museum of Comparative Zoology at Harvard College, Vols. XIV. and XV., Cambridge, Mass. (Boston and New York: Houghton, Mifflin, and Co., 1888.)