But，besideallthis，thereisaquestion，whichoughttobeacuriousonetoyou（forIsuspectyoucannotanswerit）——Whydoesthefarmertakethetroubletosendhiscartandhorseseightmilesandmore，todrawinchalkfromOdihamchalk—pit？
Oh，heisgoingtoputitontheland，ofcourse。Theyarechalkingthebitatthetopofthenextfield，wherethecopsewasgrubbed。
Butwhatgoodwillhedobyputtingchalkonit？Chalkisnotrichandfertile，likemanure，itisaltogetherpoor，barrenstuff：youknowthat，oroughttoknowit。RecollectthechalkcuttingsandbanksontherailwaybetweenBasingstokeandWinchester——howutterlybarrentheyare。Thoughtheyhavebeenopenthesethirtyyears，notabladeofgrass，hardlyabitofmoss，hasgrownonthem，orwillgrow，perhaps，forcenturies。
Come，letusfindoutsomethingaboutthechalkbeforewetalkaboutthecaves。Thechalkishere，andthecavesarenot；and"Learnfromthethingthatliesnearestyou"isasgoodaruleas"Dothedutywhichliesnearestyou。"Letuscomeintothegrubbedbit，andaskthefarmer——thereheisinhisgig。
Well，oldfriend，andhowareyou？Hereisalittleboywhowantstoknowwhyyouareputtingchalkonyourfield。
Doeshethen？Ifheevertriestofarmroundhere，hewillhavetolearnforhisfirstrule——Nochalk，nowheat。
Butwhy？
Why，ismorethanIcantell，youngsquire。Butifyouwanttoseehowitcomesabout，lookhereatthisfreshly—grubbedland——
howsouritis。Youcanseethatbythecolourofit——someblack，somered，somegreen，someyellow，allfullofsouriron，whichwillletnothinggrow。Afterthechalkhasbeenonitayearortwo，thosecolourswillhaveallgoneoutofit；anditwillturntoanicewholesomebrown，liketherestofthefield；andthenyouwillknowthatthelandissweet，andfitforanycrop。NowdoyoumindwhatItellyou，andthenI’lltellyousomethingmore。Weputonthechalkbecause，besidesweeteningtheland，itwillholdwater。Yousee，thelandabouthere，thoughitisoftenverywetfromsprings，issandyandhungry；andwhenwedrainthebottomwateroutofit，thetopwater（thatis，therain）isapttorunthroughittoofast：andthenitdriesandburnsup；andwegetnoplantofwheat，norofturnipseither。Soweputonchalktoholdwater，andkeepthegroundmoist。
Buthowcantheselumpsofchalkholdwater？Theyarenotmadelikecups。
No：buttheyaremadelikesponges，whichservesourturnbetterstill。Justtakeupthatlump，youngsquire，andyou’llseewaterenoughinit，orratherlookingoutofit，andstaringyouintheface。
Why！onesideofthelumpisalloverthickice。
Soitis。Allthatwaterwasinsidethechalklastnight，tillitfroze。Andthenitcamesqueezingoutoftheholesinthechalkinstrings，asyoumayseeitifyoubreaktheiceacross。Nowyoumayjudgeforyourselfhowmuchwateraloadofchalkwillhold，evenonadrysummer’sday。Andnow，ifyou’llexcuseme，sir，Imustbeofftomarket。
Wasitalltruethatthefarmersaid？
Quitetrue，Ibelieve。Heisnotascientificman——thatis，hedoesnotknowthechemicalcausesofallthesethings；buthisknowledgeissoundanduseful，becauseitcomesfromlongexperience。Heandhisforefathers，perhapsforathousandyearsandmore，havebeenfarmingthiscountry，readingMadamHow’sbookswithverykeeneyes，experimentingandwatching，verycarefullyandrationally；makingmistakesoften，andfailingandlosingtheircropsandtheirmoney；butlearningfromtheirmistakes，tilltheirempiricknowledge，asitiscalled，helpsthemtogrowsometimesquiteasgoodcropsasiftheyhadlearnedagriculturalchemistry。
Whathemeantbythechalksweeteningthelandyouwouldnotunderstandyet，andIcanhardlytellyou；forchemistsarenotyetagreedhowithappens。Buthewasright；andright，too，whathetoldyouaboutthewaterinsidethechalk，whichismoreimportanttousjustnow；for，ifwefollowitout，weshallsurelycometoacaveatlast。
Sonowforthewaterinthechalk。Youcanseenowwhythechalk—
downsatWinchesterarealwaysgreen，eveninthehottestsummer：
becauseMadamHowhasputunderthemhergreatchalksponge。Thewinterrainssoakintoit；andthesummerheatdrawsthatrainoutofitagainasinvisiblesteam，comingupfrombelow，tokeeptherootsoftheturfcoolandmoistundertheblazingsun。
Youlovethatshortturfwell。YoulovetorunandraceovertheDownswithyourbutterfly—netandhunt"chalk—hillblues，"and"marbledwhites，"and"spottedburnets，"tillyouarehotandtired；andthentositdownandlookatthequietlittleoldcitybelow，withthelongcathedralroof，andthetowerofSt。Cross，andthegrayoldwallsandbuildingsshroudedbynobletrees，allembosomedamongthesoftroundedlinesofthechalk—hills；andthenyoubegintofeelverythirsty，andcry，"Oh，iftherewerebutspringsandbrooksintheDowns，asthereareathome！"Butallthehollowsareasdryasthehilltops。Thereisnotabrook，orthemarkofawatercourse，inoneofthem。YouareliketheAncientMarinerinthepoem，with"Water，water，everywhere，Noranydroptodrink。"
Togetthatyoumustgodownanddown，hundredsoffeet，tothegreenmeadowsthroughwhichsilverItchenglidestowardthesea。
Thereyoustanduponthebridge，andwatchthetroutinwatersocrystal—clearthatyouseeeveryweedandpebbleasifyoulookedthroughair。Ifevertherewaspurewater，youthink，thatispure。Isitso？Drinksome。Washyourhandsinitandtry——Youfeelthatthewaterisrough，hard（astheycallit），quitedifferentfromthewaterathome，whichfeelsassoftasvelvet。
Whatmakesitsohard？
Becauseitisfullofinvisiblechalk。Ineverygallonofthatwaterthereare，perhaps，fifteengrainsofsolidchalk，whichwasonceinsidetheheartofthehillsabove。Dayandnight，yearafteryear，thechalkgoesdowntothesea；andifthereweresuchcreaturesaswater—fairies——ifitweretrue，astheoldGreeksandRomansthought，thatriverswerelivingthings，withaNymphwhodweltineachofthem，andwasitsgoddessoritsqueen——then，ifyourearswereopenedtohearher，theNymphofItchenmightsaytoyou—
Sochild，youthinkthatIdonothingbut，asyoursistersayswhenshesingsMr。Tennyson’sbeautifulsong，"Ichatteroverstonyways，Inlittlesharpsandtrebles，Ibubbleintoeddyingbays，Ibabbleonthepebbles。"
Yes。Idothat：andIlove，astheNymphslovedofold，menwhohaveeyestoseemybeauty，andearstodiscernmysong，andtofittheirownsongtoit，andtellhow"’Iwindabout，andinandout，Withhereablossomsailing，Andhereandtherealustytrout，Andhereandthereagrayling，"’AndhereandthereafoamyflakeUponme，asItravelWithmanyasilverywaterbreakAbovethegoldengravel，"’Anddrawthemallalong，andflowTojointhebrimmingriver，Formenmaycomeandmenmaygo，ButIgoonforever。’"
Yes。Thatisalltrue：butifthatwereall，Ishouldnotbelettoflowonforever，inaworldwhereLadyWhyrules，andMadamHowobeys。Ionlyexist（likeeverythingelse，fromthesuninheaventothegnatwhichdancesinhisbeam）onconditionofworking，whetherwewishitornot，whetherweknowitornot。I
amnotanidlestream，onlyfittochattertothosewhobatheorfishinmywaters，oreventogivepoetsbeautifulfanciesaboutme。YoulittleguesstheworkIdo。ForIamoneofthedaughtersofMadamHow，and，likeher，worknightandday，weknownotwhy，thoughLadyWhymustknow。Sodaybyday，andnightbynight，whileyouaresleeping（forIneversleep），Icarry，delicateandsoftasIam，aburdenwhichgiantscouldnotbear：
andyetIamnevertired。Everydropofrainwhichthesouth—westwindbringsfromtheWestIndianseasgivesmefreshlifeandstrengthtobearmyburden；andithasneedtodoso；foreverydropofrainlaysafreshburdenonme。Everyrootandweedwhichgrowsineveryfield；everydeadleafwhichfallsinthehighwoodsofmanyaparish，fromtheGrangeandWoodmancoteroundtoFarleighandPreston，andsotoBrightonandtheAlresforddowns；—
—ay，everyatomofmanurewhichthefarmersputontheland——foulenoughthen，butpureenoughbeforeittouchesme——eachofthese，givingoffatinyatomofwhatmencallcarbonicacid，meltsatinygrainofchalk，andhelpstosenditdownthroughthesolidhillbyoneofthemillionporesandveinswhichatoncefeedandburdenmysprings。AgesonagesIhaveworkedonthus，carryingthechalkintothesea。Andagesonages，itmaybe，Ishallworkonyet；tillIhavedonemyworkatlast，andlevelledthehighdownsintoaflatsea—shore，withbedsofflintgravelrattlingintheshallowwaves。
Shemighttellyouthat；andwhenshehadtoldyou，youwouldsurelythinkoftheclumsychalk—cartrumblingdownthehill，andthenofthegracefulstream，bearingsilentlyitsinvisibleloadofchalk；andseehowmuchmoredelicateandbeautiful，aswellasvastandwonderful，MadamHow’sworkisthanthatofman。
Butifyouaskedthenymphwhysheworkedonforever，shecouldnottellyou。ForliketheNymphsofold，andtheHamadryadswholived，intrees，andUndine，andthelittleSea—maiden，shewouldhavenosoul；noreason；nopowertosaywhy。
Itisforyou，whoareareasonablebeing，toguesswhy：oratleastlistentomeifIguessforyou，andsay，perhaps——Icanonlysayperhaps——thatchalkmaybegoingtomakelayersofrichmarlintheseabetweenEnglandandFrance；andthosemarl—bedsmaybeupheavedandgrowintodryland，andbeploughed，andsowed，andreapedbyawiserraceofmen，inabetter—orderedworldthanthis：orthechalkmayhaveevenanoblerdestinybeforeit。Thatmayhappentoit，whichhashappenedalreadytomanyagrainoflime。Itmaybecarriedthousandsofmilesawaytohelpinbuildingupacoralreef（whatthatisImusttellyouafterwards）。Thatcoralreefmayhardenintolimestonebeds。
Thosebedsmaybecoveredup，pressed，and，itmaybe，heated，tilltheycrystalliseintowhitemarble：andoutofitfairerstatuesbecarved，andgrandertemplesbuilt，thantheworldhaseveryetseen。
Andifthatisnotthereasonwhythechalkisbeingsentintothesea，thenthereisanotherreason，andprobablyafarbetterone。
For，asItoldyouatfirst，LadyWhy’sintentionsarefarwiserandbetterthanourfancies；andshe——likeHimwhomsheobeys——isabletodoexceedingabundantly，beyondallthatwecanaskorthink。
Butyouwillsaynowthatwehavefollowedthechalk—cartalongway，withoutcomingtothecave。
Youarewrong。Wehavecometotheverymouthofthecave。Allwehavetodoistosay——not"OpenSesame，"likeAliBabainthetaleoftheFortyThieves——butsomewordortwowhichMadamWhywillteachus，andforthwithahillwillopen，andweshallwalkin，andbeholdriversandcascadesunderground，stalactitepillarsandstalagmitestatues，andallthewondersofthegrottoesofAdelsberg，Antiparos，orKentucky。
AmIjoking？Yes，andyetno；foryouknowthatwhenIjokeIamusuallymostinearnest。Atleast，Iamnow。
Buttherearenocavesinchalk？
No，notthatIeverheardof。Thereare，though，inlimestone，whichisonlyaharderkindofchalk。MadamHowcouldturnthischalkintohardlimestone，Ibelieve，evennow；andinmorewaysthanone：butinwayswhichwouldnotbeverycomfortableorprofitableforusSouthernfolkwholiveonit。Iamafraidthat—
—whatbetweensqueezingandheating——shewouldflattenusalloutintophosphaticfossils，aboutaninchthick；andturnWinchestercityintoa"breccia"whichwouldpuzzlegeologistsahundredthousandyearshence。SowewillhopethatshewillleaveourchalkdownsfortheItchentowashgentlyaway，whilewetalkaboutcaves，andhowMadamHowscoopsthemoutbywaterunderground，justinthesameway，onlymoreroughly，asshemeltsthechalk。
Suppose，then，thatthesehills，insteadofbeingsoft，spongychalk，wereallhardlimestonemarble，likethatofwhichthefontinthechurchismade。Thentherainwater，insteadofsinkingthroughthechalkasnow，wouldrunoverthegrounddown—hill，andifitcametoacrack（afault，asitiscalled）itwouldrundownbetweentherock；andasitranitwouldeatthatholewiderandwideryearbyyear，andmakeaswallow—hole——suchasyoumayseeinplentyifyouevergoupWhernside，oranyofthehighhillsinYorkshire——unfathomablepitsinthegreenturf，inwhichyoumayhearthewatertinklingandtricklingfar，farunderground。
Andnow，beforewegoastepfarther，youmayunderstand，whythebonesofanimalsaresooftenfoundinlimestonecaves。Downsuchswallow—holeshowmanybeastsmustfall：eitherinhurryandfright，whenhuntedbylionsandbearsandsuchcruelbeasts；ormoreoftenstillintimeofsnow，whentheholesarecoveredwithdrift；or，again，iftheydiedontheopenhill—sides，theirbonesmightbewashedin，infloods，alongwithmudandstones，andburiedwiththeminthecavebelow；andbesidethat，lionsandbearsandhyaenasmightliveinthecavesbelow，asweknowtheydidinsomecaves，anddraginbonesthroughthecaves’mouths；
or，again，savagesmightliveinthatcave，andbringinanimalstoeat，likethewildbeasts；andsothosebonesmightbemixedup，asweknowtheywere，withthingswhichthesavageshadleftbehind——likeflinttoolsorbeads；andthenthewholewouldbehardened，bythedrippingofthelimestonewater，intoapasteofbrecciajustlikethisinmydrawer。Butthebonesofthesavagesthemselvesyouwouldseldomorneverfindmixedinit——unlesssomeonehadfalleninbyaccidentfromabove。Andwhy？（ForthereisaWhy？tothatquestion：andnotmerelyaHow？）Simplybecausetheyweremen；andbecauseGodhasputintotheheartsofallmen，evenofthelowestsavages，somesortofreverenceforthosewhoaregone；andhastaughtthemtobury，orinsomeotherwaytakecareof，theirbones。
Buthowistheswallow—holesuretoendinacave？
Becauseitcannothelpmakingacaveforitselfifithastime。
Think：andyouwillseethatitmustbeso。Forthatwatermustrunsomewhere；andsoiteatsitswayoutbetweenthebedsoftherock，makingundergroundgalleries，andatlastcavesandloftyhalls。Foritalwayseats，remember，atthebottomofitschannel，leavingtheroofalone。Soiteats，andeats，moreinsomeplacesandlessinothers，accordingasthestoneisharderorsofter，andaccordingtothedifferentdirectionoftherock—
beds（whatwecalltheirdipandstrike）；tillatlastitmakesoneofthosewonderfulcavernsaboutwhichyouaresofondofreading——suchacaveasthereactuallyisintherocksofthemountainofWhernside，fedbytheswallow—holesaroundthemountain—top；acavehundredsofyardslong，withhalls，andlakes，andwaterfalls，andcurtainsandfestoonsofstalactitewhichhavedrippedfromtheroof，andpillarsofstalagmitewhichhavebeenbuiltuponthefloorbelow。Thesestalactites（thosetellmewhohaveseenthem）areamongthemostbeautifulofallMadamHow’swork；sometimeslikebranchesofrosesorofgrapes；
sometimeslikestatues；sometimeslikedelicatecurtains，andI
knownotwhatotherbeautifulshapes。Ihaveneverseenthem，I
amsorrytosay，andthereforeIcannotdescribethem。Buttheyareallmadeinthesameway；justinthesamewayasthoselittlestraightstalactiteswhichyoumayhaveseenhanging，likeicicles，invaultedcellars，orunderthearchesofabridge。Thewatermeltsmorelimethanitcancarry，anddropssomeofitagain，makingfreshlimestonegrainbygrainasitdripsfromtheroofabove；andfreshlimestoneagainwhereitsplashesonthefloorbelow：tillifitdrippedlongenough，thestalactitehangingfromabovewouldmeetthestalagmiterisingfrombelow，andjoininonestraightroundwhitegracefulshaft，whichwouldseem（butonlyseem）tosupporttheroofofthecave。Andoutofthatcave——thoughnotalwaysoutofthemouthofit——willrunastreamofwater，whichseemstoyouclearascrystal，thoughitisactually，liketheItchenatWinchester，fulloflime；sofulloflime，thatitmakesbedsoffreshlimestone，whicharecalledtravertine——whichyoumayseeinItaly，andGreece，andAsiaMinor：orperhapsitpetrifies，asyoucallit，theweedsinitsbed，likethatdropping—wellatKnaresborough，ofwhichyouhaveoftenseenapicture。Andthecauseisthis：thewaterissofulloflime，thatitisforcedtothrowawaysomeofituponeverythingittouches，andsoincrustswithstone——thoughitdoesnotturntostone——almostanythingyouputinit。Youhaveseen，oroughttohaveseen，petrifiedmossandbirds’nestsandsuchthingsfromKnaresboroughWell：andnowyouknowalittle，thoughonlyaverylittle，ofhowtheprettytoysaremade。
Nowifyoucanimagineforyourself（thoughIsupposealittleboycannot）theamountoflimewhichoneofthesesubterraneanriverswouldcarryaway，gnawingundergroundcenturiesaftercenturies，dayandnight，summerandwinter，thenyouwillnotbesurprisedattheenormoussizeofcavernswhichmaybeseenindifferentpartsoftheworld——butalways，Ibelieve，inlimestonerock。Youwouldnotbesurprised（thoughyouwouldadmirethem）atthecavernsofAdelsberg，inCarniola（inthesouthofAustria，nearthetopoftheAdriatic），whichruns，Ibelieve，formilesinlength；andinthelakesofwhich，indarknessfromitsbirthuntilitsdeath，livesthatstrangebeast，theProteusasortoflongnewtwhichnevercomestoperfection——Isupposeforwantofthegenialsunlightwhichmakesallthingsgrow。Butheisblind；
andmore，hekeepsallhislifethesamefeatherygillswhichnewtshavewhentheyarebabies，andwhichwehavesooftenlookedatthroughthemicroscope，toseetheblood—globulesrunroundandroundinside。Youwouldnotwonder，either，attheCzirknitzLake，nearthesameplace，whichatcertaintimesoftheyearvanishessuddenlythroughchasmsunderwater，suckingthefishdownwithit；andafteracertaintimeboilssuddenlyupagainfromthedepths，bringingbackwithitthefish，whohavebeenswimmingcomfortablyallthetimeinasubterraneanlake；andbringingback，too（and，extraordinaryasthisstoryis，thereisgoodreasontobelieveittrue），livewildduckswhowentdownsmallandunfledged，andcomebackfull—grownandfat，withwater—
weedsandsmallfishintheirstomachs，showingtheyhavehadplentytofeedonunderground。But——andthisisthestrangestpartofthestory，iftrue——theycomeupunfledgedjustastheywentdown，andaremoreoverblindfromhavingbeensolongindarkness。Afterawhile，however，folkssaytheireyesgetright，theirfeathersgrow，andtheyflyawaylikeotherbirds。
Neitherwouldyoubesurprised（ifyourecollectthatMadamHowisaveryoldladyindeed，andthatsomeofherworkisveryoldlikewise）atthatMammothCaveinKentucky，thelargestcaveintheknownworld，throughwhichyoumaywalknearlytenmilesonend，andinwhichahundredmilesofgalleryhavebeenexploredalready，andyetnoendfoundtothecave。Init（theguideswilltellyou）thereare"226avenues，47domes，8cataracts，23pits，andseveralrivers；"andifthatfactisnotveryinterestingtoyou（asitcertainlyisnottome）Iwilltellyousomethingwhichoughttointerestyou：thatthiscaveissoimmenselyoldthatvariouskindsoflittleanimals，whohavesettledthemselvesintheouterpartsofit，havehadtimetochangetheirshape，andtobecomequiteblind；sothatblindfathersandmothershaveblindchildren，generationaftergeneration。
Thereareblindratsthere，withlargeshiningeyeswhichcannotsee——blindlandcrabs，whohavethefoot—stalksoftheireyes（youmayseetheminanycrab）stillleft；buttheeyeswhichshouldbeonthetopofthemaregone。Thereareblindfish，too，inthecave，andblindinsects；for，iftheyhavenousefortheireyesinthedark，whyshouldMadamHowtakethetroubletofinishthemoff？
OnemorecaveImusttellyouof，toshowyouhowoldsomecavesmustbe，andthenImuststop；andthatisthecaveofCaripe，inVenezuela，whichisthemostnortherlypartofSouthAmerica。
There，inthefaceofalimestonecliff，crestedwithenormousfloweringtrees，andfestoonedwiththoselovelycreepersofwhichyouhaveseenafewsmallonesinhothouses，thereopensanarchasbigasthewestfrontofWinchesterCathedral，andrunsstraightinlikeacathedralnaveformorethan1400feet。Outofitrunsastream；andalongthebanksofthatstream，asfarasthesunlightstrikesin，growwildbananas，andpalms，andlordsandladies（asyoucallthem），whicharenot，likeours，onefoot，butmanyfeethigh。Beyondthatthecavegoeson，withsubterraneanstreams，cascades，andhalls，nomanyetknowshowfar。Afriendofminelastyearwentinfarther，Ibelieve，thananyoneyethasgone；but，insteadoftakingIndiantorchesmadeofbarkandresin，oreventorchesmadeofSpanishwax，suchasabravebishopofthosepartsusedoncewhenhewentinfartherthananyonebeforehim，hetookwithhimsomeofthatbeautifulmagnesiumlightwhichyouhaveseenoftenhereathome。Andinoneplace，whenhelightedupthemagnesium，hefoundhimselfinahallfull300feethigh——higherfar，thatis，thanthedomeofSt。
Paul’s——andaverysolemnthoughtitwastohim，hesaid，thathehadseenwhatnootherhumanbeingeverhadseen；andthatnorayoflighthadeverstruckonthatstupendousroofinalltheagessincethemakingoftheworld。Butifhefoundoutsomethingwhichhedidnotexpect，hewasdisappointedinsomethingwhichhedidexpect。FortheIndianswarnedhimofaholeinthefloorwhich（theytoldhim）wasanunfathomableabyss。Andloandbehold，whenheturnedthemagnesiumlightuponit，thesaidabysswasjustabouteightfeetdeep。ButitisnowonderthatthepoorIndianswiththeirlittlesmokytorchesshouldmakesuchmistakes；
nowonder，too，thattheyshouldbeafraidtoenterfarintothosegloomyvaults；thattheyshouldbelievethatthesoulsoftheirancestorsliveinthatdarkcave；andthattheyshouldsaythatwhentheydietheywillgototheGuacharos，astheycallthebirdsthatflywithdolefulscreamsoutofthecavetofeedatnight，andinagainatdaylight，toroostandsleep。
Now，itistheseveryGuacharobirdswhicharetomethemostwonderfulpartofthestory。TheIndianskillandeatthemfortheirfat，althoughtheybelievetheyhavetodowithevilspirits。ButscientificmenwhohavestudiedthesebirdswilltellyouthattheyaremorewonderfulthanifalltheIndians’
fanciesaboutthemweretrue。Theyaregreatbirds，morethanthreefeetacrossthewings，somewhatlikeowls，somewhatlikecuckoos，somewhatlikegoatsuckers；but，onthewhole，unlikeanythingintheworldbutthemselves；andinsteadoffeedingonmothsormice，theyfeeduponharddryfruits，whichtheypickoffthetreesafterthesetofsun。Andwisemenwilltellyou，thatinmakingsuchabirdasthat，andgivingitthatpeculiarwayoflife，andsettlingitinthatcavern，andafewmorecavernsinthatpartoftheworld，andthereforeinmakingthecavernsreadyforthemtolivein，MadamHowmusthavetakenagesandages，morethanyoucanimagineorcount。
ButthatisamongtheharderlessonswhichcomeinthelatterpartofMadamHow’sbook。Childrenneednotlearnthemyet；andtheycanneverlearnthem，unlesstheymasterheralphabet，andhershortandeasylessonsforbeginners，someofwhichIamtryingtoteachyounow。
ButIhavejustrecollectedthatweareacoupleofverystupidfellows。Wehavebeentalkingallthistimeaboutchalkandlimestone，andhaveforgottentosettlewhattheyare，andhowtheyweremade。Wemustthinkofthatnexttime。Itwillnotdoforus（atleastifwemeantobescientificmen）tousetermswithoutdefiningthem；inplainEnglish，totalkabout——wedon’tknowwhat。
CHAPTERVIII——MADAMHOW’STWOGRANDSONS
Youwanttoknow，then，whatchalkis？Isupposeyoumeanwhatchalkismadeof？
Yes。Thatisit。
ThatwecanonlyhelpbycallinginthehelpofaverygreatgiantwhosenameisAnalysis。
Agiant？
Yes。AndbeforewecallforhimIwilltellyouaverycuriousstoryabouthimandhisyoungerbrother，whichiseverywordofittrue。
Onceuponatime，certainlyaslongagoasthefirstman，orperhapsthefirstrationalbeingofanykind，wascreated，MadamHowhadtwograndsons。TheelderiscalledAnalysis，andtheyoungerSynthesis。Asforwhotheirfatherandmotherwere，therehavebeensomanydisputesonthatquestionthatIthinkchildrenmayleaveitaloneforthepresent。Formypart，Ibelievethattheyareboth，likeSt。Patrick，"gentlemen，andcomeofdecentpeople；"andIhaveagreatrespectandaffectionforthemboth，aslongaseachkeepsinhisownplaceandmindshisownbusiness。
Nowyoumustunderstandthat，assoonasthesetwobabygiantswereborn，LadyWhy，whosetseverythingtodothatworkforwhichitisexactlyfitted，setbothofthemtheirwork。Analysiswastotaketopieceseverythinghefound，andfindouthowitwasmade。Synthesiswastoputthepiecestogetheragain，andmakesomethingfreshoutofthem。Inaword，AnalysiswastoteachmenScience；andSynthesistoteachthemArt。
ButbecauseAnalysiswastheelder，MadamHowcommandedSynthesisnevertoputthepiecestogethertillAnalysishadtakenthemcompletelyapart。And，mychild，ifSynthesishadobeyedthatruleofhisgoodoldgrandmother’s，theworldwouldhavebeenfarhappier，wealthier，wiser，andbetterthanitisnow。
ButSynthesiswouldnot。Hegrewupaverynobleboy。Hecouldcarve，hecouldpaint，hecouldbuild，hecouldmakemusic，andwritepoems：buthewasfullofconceitandhaste。Wheneverhiselderbrothertriedtodoalittlepatientworkintakingthingstopieces，Synthesissnatchedtheworkoutofhishandsbeforeitwasaquarterdone，andbeganputtingittogetheragaintosuithisownfancy，and，ofcourse，putittogetherwrong。Thenhewentontobullyhiselderbrother，andlockedhimupinprison，andstarvedhim，tillformanyhundredyearspoorAnalysisnevergrewatall，butremaineddwarfed，andstupid，andallbutblindforwantoflight；whileSynthesis，andallthehastyconceitedpeoplewhofollowedhim，grewstoutandstrongandtyrannous，andoverspreadthewholeworld，andruleditattheirwill。ButthefaultofalltheworkofSynthesiswasjustthis：thatitwouldnotwork。Hiswatcheswouldnotkeeptime，hissoldierswouldnotfight，hisshipswouldnotsail，hishouseswouldnotkeeptherainout。SoeverytimehefailedinhisworkhehadtogotopoorAnalysisinhisdungeon，andbullyhimintotakingathingortwotopieces，andgivinghimafewsoundfactsoutofthem，justtogoonwithtillhecametogriefagain，boastinginthemeantimethatheandnotAnalysishadfoundoutthefacts。AndatlasthegrewsoconceitedthathefanciedheknewallthatMadamHowcouldteachhim，orLadyWhyeither，andthatheunderstoodallthingsinheavenandearth；whileitwasnottherealheavenandearththathewasthinkingof，butashamheavenandashamearth，whichhehadbuiltupoutofhisguessesandhisownfancies。
AndthemoreSynthesiswaxedinpride，andthemorehetrampleduponhispoorbrother，themorerecklesshegrew，andthemorewillingtodeceivehimself。Ifhisrealflowerswouldnotgrow，hecutoutpaperflowers，andpaintedthemandsaidthattheywoulddojustaswellasnaturalones。Ifhisdollswouldnotwork，heputstringsandwiresbehindthemtomakethemnodtheirheadsandopentheireyes，andthenpersuadedotherpeople，andperhapshalf—persuadedhimself，thattheywerealive。Ifthehandofhisweather—glasswentdown，henailedituptoinsureafineday，andtortured，burnt，ormurderedeveryonewhosaiditdidnotkeepupofitself。Andmanyotherfoolishandwickedthingshedid，whichlittleboysneednothearofyet。
Butatlasthispunishmentcame，accordingtothelawsofhisgrandmother，MadamHow，whicharelikethelawsoftheMedesandPersians，andalternot，asyouandallmankindwillsoonerorlaterfind；forhegrewsorichandpowerfulthathegrewcarelessandlazy，andthoughtaboutnothingbuteatinganddrinking，tillpeoplebegantodespisehimmoreandmore。AndonedayheleftthedungeonofAnalysissoillguarded，thatAnalysisgotoutandranaway。Greatwasthehueandcryafterhim；andterriblywouldhehavebeenpunishedhadhebeencaught。But，loandbehold，folkshadgrownsodisgustedwithSynthesisthattheybegantotakethepartofAnalysis。Poormenhidhimintheircottages，andscholarsintheirstudies。Andwhenwararoseabouthim，——andterriblewarsdidarise，——goodkings，wisestatesmen，gallantsoldiers，spenttheirtreasureandtheirlivesinfightingforhim。Allhonestfolkwelcomedhim，becausehewashonest；andallwisefolkusedhim，for，insteadofbeingaconceitedtyrantlikeSynthesis，heshowedhimselfthemostfaithful，diligent，humbleofservants，readytodoeveryman’swork，andanswereveryman’squestions。Andamongthemallhegotsowellfedthathegrewveryshortlyintothegiantthatheoughttohavebeenallalong；
andwas，andwillbeformanyayeartocome，perfectlyabletotakecareofhimself。
AsforpoorSynthesis，hereallyhasfallensolowinthesedays，thatonecannotbutpityhim。Henowgoesabouthumblyafterhisbrother，feedingonanyscrapsthatarethrowntohim，andissnubbedandrappedovertheknuckles，andtoldoneminutetoholdhistongueandmindhisownbusiness，andthenextthathehasnobusinessatalltomind，tillhehasgotintosuchapoorwaythatsomefolksfancyhewilldie，andareactuallydigginghisgravealready，andcomposinghisepitaph。Buttheyaretryingtowearthebear’sskinbeforethebeariskilled；forSynthesisisnotdead，noranythinglikeit；andhewillriseupagainsomeday，tomakegoodfriendswithhisbrotherAnalysis，andbyhishelpdonoblerandmorebeautifulworkthanhehaseveryetdoneintheworld。
SonowAnalysishasgottheupperhand；somuchsothatheisindangerofbeingspoiltbytoomuchprosperity，ashisbrotherwasbeforehim；inwhichcasehetoowillhavehisfall；andagreatdealofgooditwilldohim。Andthatistheendofmystory，andatruestoryitis。
Nowyoumustremember，wheneveryouhavetodowithhim，thatAnalysis，likefire，isaverygoodservant，butaverybadmaster。For，havinggothisfreedomonlyoflateyearsorso，heis，likeyoungmenwhentheycomesuddenlytobetheirownmasters，apttobeconceited，andtofancythatheknowseverything，whenreallyheknowsnothing，andcanneverknowanything，butonlyknowsaboutthings，whichisaverydifferentmatter。Indeed，nowadayshepretendsthathecanteachhisoldgrandmother，MadamHow，notonlyhowtosuckeggs，buttomakeeggsintothebargain；whilethegoodoldladyjustlaughsathimkindly，andletshimrunon，becausesheknowshewillgrowwiserintime，andlearnhumilitybyhismistakesandfailures，asI
hopeyouwillfromyours。
However，Analysisisaverycleveryounggiant，andcandowonderfulworkaslongashemeddlesonlywithdeadthings，likethisbitoflime。Hecantakeittopieces，andtellyouofwhatthingsitismade，orseemstobemade；andtakethemtopiecesagain，andtellyouwhateachofthemismadeof；andsoon，tillhegetsconceited，andfanciesthathecanfindoutsomeoneThingofallthings（whichhecallsmatter），ofwhichallotherthingsaremade；andsomeWayofallways（whichhecallsforce），bywhichallthingsaremade：butwhenheboastsinthatway，oldMadamHowsmiles，andsays，"Mychild，beforeyoucansaythat，youmustrememberahundredthingswhichyouareforgetting，andlearnahundredthousandthingswhichyoudonotknow；"andthenshejustputsherhandoverhiseyes，andMasterAnalysisbeginsgropinginthedark，andtalkingthesaddestnonsense。Sobewareofhim，andkeephiminhisownplace，andtohisownwork，orhewillflatteryou，andgetthemasteryofyou，andpersuadeyouthathecanteachyouathousandthingsofwhichheknowsnomorethanhedoeswhyaduck’seggneverhatchesintoachicken。Andremember，ifMasterAnalysisevergrowssaucyandconceitedwithyou，justaskhimthatlastriddle，andyouwillshuthimupatonce。
Andwhy？
BecauseAnalysiscanonlyexplaintoyoualittleaboutdeadthings，likestones——inorganicthingsastheyarecalled。Livingthings——organisms，astheyarecalled——hecannotexplaintoyouatall。Whenhemeddleswiththem，healwaysendslikethemanwhokilledhisgoosetogetthegoldeneggs。Hehastokillhisgoose，orhisflower，orhisinsect，beforehecananalyseit；andthenitisnotagoose，butonlythecorpseofagoose；notaflower，butonlythedeadstuffoftheflower。
Andthereforehewillneverdoanythingbutfail，whenhetriestofindoutthelifeinthings。Howcanhe，whenhehastotakethelifeoutofthemfirst？Hecouldnotevenfindouthowaplum—
puddingismadebymerelyanalysingit。Hemightpartthesugar，andtheflour，andthesuet；hemighteven（forheisveryclever，andverypatienttoo，themorehonourtohim）takeeveryatomofsugaroutoftheflourwithwhichithadgotmixed，andeveryatomofbrowncolourwhichhadgotoutoftheplumsandcurrantsintothebodyofthepudding，andthen，foraughtIknow，putthecolouringmatterbackagainintotheplumsandcurrants；andthen，foraughtIknow，turntheboiledpuddingintoarawoneagain，——
forheisagreatconjurer，asMadamHow’sgrandsonisboundtobe：butyethewouldneverfindouthowthepuddingwasmade，unlesssomeonetoldhimthegreatsecretwhichthesailorsintheoldstoryforgot——thatthecookboileditinacloth。
ThisisAnalysis’sweakpoint——don’tletitbeyours——thatinallhiscalculationsheisapttoforgetthecloth，andindeedthecooklikewise。Nodoubthecananalysethematterofthings：buthewillkeepforgettingthathecannotanalysetheirform。
DoImeantheirshape？
No，mychild；no。Imeansomethingwhichmakestheshapeofthings，andthematterofthemlikewise，butwhichfolkshavelostsightofnowadays，anddonotseemlikelytogetsightofagainforafewhundredyears。SoIsupposethatyouneednottroubleyourheadaboutit，butmayjustfollowthefashionsaslongastheylast。
Aboutthispieceoflime，however，Analysiscantellusagreatdeal。Andwemaytrustwhathesays，andbelievethatheunderstandswhathesays。
Why？
Thinknow。Ifyoutookyourwatchtopieces，youwouldprobablyspoilitforever；youwouldhaveperhapsbroken，andcertainlymislaid，someofthebits；andnotevenawatchmakercouldputittogetheragain。Youwouldhaveanalysedthewatchwrongly。Butifawatchmakertookittopiecesthenanyotherwatchmakercouldputittogetheragaintogoaswellasever，becausetheybothunderstandtheworks，howtheyfitintoeachother，andwhattheuseandthepowerofeachis。Itsbeingputtogetheragainrightlywouldbeaproofthatithadbeentakentopiecesrightly。
AndsowithMasterAnalysis。IfhecantakeathingtopiecessothathisbrotherSynthesiscanputittogetheragain，youmaybesurethathehasdonehisworkrightly。
Nowhecantakeabitofchalktopieces，sothatitshallbecomeseveraldifferentthings，noneofwhichischalk，orlikechalkatall。AndthenhisbrotherSynthesiscanputthemtogetheragain，sothattheyshallbecomechalk，astheywerebefore。Hecandothatverynearly，butnotquite。Thereis，ineveryaveragepieceofchalk，somethingwhichhecannotmakeintochalkagainwhenhehasonceunmadeit。
WhatthatisIwillshowyoupresently；andawonderfultalehangsthereby。ButfirstwewillletAnalysistelluswhatchalkismadeof，asfarasheknows。
Hewillsay——Chalkiscarbonateoflime。
Butwhatiscarbonateoflimemadeof？
Limeandcarbonicacid。
Andwhatislime？
Theoxideofacertainmetal，calledcalcium。
Whatdoyoumean？
Thatquicklimeisacertainmetalmixedwithoxygengas；andslackedlimeisthesame，mixedwithwater。
Solimeisametal。Whatisametal？Nobodyknows。
Andwhatisoxygengas？Nobodyknows。
Well，Analysis，stopsshortverysoon。Hedoesnotseemtoknowmuchaboutthematter。
Nay，nay，youarewrongthere。Itisjust"aboutthematter"thathedoesknow，andknowsagreatdeal，andveryaccurately；whathedoesnotknowisthematteritself。Hewilltellyouwonderfulthingsaboutoxygengas——howtheairisfullofit，thewaterfullofit，everylivingthingfullofit；howitchangeshardbrightsteelintosoft，foulrust；howacandlecannotburnwithoutit，oryoulivewithoutit。Butwhatitisheknowsnot。
Willheeverknow？
ThatisLadyWhy’sconcern，andnotours。Meanwhilehehasarighttofindoutifhecan。Butwhatdoyouwanttoaskhimnext？
What？Oh！Whatcarbonicacidis。Hecantellyouthat。Carbonandoxygengas。
Butwhatiscarbon？
Nobodyknows。
Why，hereisthisstupidAnalysisatfaultagain。
Nay，nay，again。Bepatientwithhim。Ifhecannottellyouwhatcarbonis，hecantellyouwhatiscarbon，whichiswellworthknowing。Hewilltellyou，forinstance，thateverytimeyoubreatheorspeak，whatcomesoutofyourmouthiscarbonicacid；
andthat，ifyourbreathcomesonabitofslackedlime，itwillbegintoturnitbackintothechalkfromwhichitwasmade；andthat，ifyourbreathcomesontheleavesofagrowingplant，thatleafwilltakethecarbonoutofit，andturnitintowood。Andsurelythatisworthknowing，——thatyoumaybehelpingtomakechalk，ortomakewood，everytimeyoubreathe。
Well；thatisverycurious。
Butnow，askhim，Whatiscarbon？Andhewilltellyou，thatmanythingsarecarbon。Adiamondiscarbon；andsoisblacklead；andsoischarcoalandcoke，andcoalinpart，andwoodinpart。
What？DoesAnalysissaythatadiamondandcharcoalarethesamething？
Yes。
Thenhiswayoftakingthingstopiecesmustbeaveryclumsyone，ifhecanfindoutnodifferencebetweendiamondandcharcoal。
Well，perhapsitis：butyoumustrememberthat，thoughheisveryold——asoldasthefirstmanwhoeverlived——hehasonlybeenatschoolforthelastthreehundredyearsorso。Andremember，too，thatheisnotlikeyou，whohavesomeoneelsetoteachyou。
Hehashadtoteachhimself，andfindoutforhimself，andmakehisowntools，andworkinthedarkbesides。AndIthinkitisverymuchtohiscreditthatheeverfoundoutthatdiamondandcharcoalwerethesamethings。Youwouldneverhavefounditoutforyourself，youwillagree。
No：buthowdidhedoit？
Hetaughtaveryfamouschemist，Lavoisier，aboutninetyyearsago，howtoburnadiamondinoxygen——andaverydifficulttrickthatis；andLavoisierfoundthatthediamondwhenburntturnedalmostentirelyintocarbonicacidandwater，asblackleadandcharcoaldo；andmore，thateachofthemturnedintothesamequantityofcarbonicacid，Andsoheknew，assurelyasmancanknowanything，thatallthesethings，howeverdifferenttooureyesandfingers，arereallymadeofthesamething，——purecarbon。
Butwhatmakesthemlookandfeelsodifferent？
ThatAnalysisdoesnotknowyet。Perhapshewillfindoutsomeday；forheisverypatient，andverydiligent，asyououghttobe。Meanwhile，becontentwithhim：rememberthatthoughhecannotseethroughamilestoneyet，hecanseefartherintoonethanhisneighbours。Indeedhisneighbourscannotseeintoamilestoneatall，butonlyseetheoutsideofit，andknowthingsonlybyrote，likeparrots，withoutunderstandingwhattheymeanandhowtheyaremade。
Sonowrememberthatchalkiscarbonateoflime，andthatitismadeupofthreethings，calcium，oxygen，andcarbon；andthatthereforeitsmarkisCaCO（3），inAnalysis’slanguage，whichI
hopeyouwillbeabletoreadsomeday。
ButhowisitthatAnalysisandSynthesiscannottakeallthischalktopieces，andputittogetheragain？
Lookhere；whatisthatinthechalk？
Oh！ashepherd’scrown，suchasweoftenfindinthegravel，onlyfreshandwhite。
Well；youknowwhatthatwasonce。Ihaveoftentoldyou：——alivesea—egg，coveredwithprickles，whichcrawlsatthebottomofthesea。
Well，IamsurethatMasterSynthesiscouldnotputthattogetheragain：andequallysurethatMasterAnalysismightspendagesintakingittopieces，beforehefoundouthowitwasmade。And——weareluckyto—day，forthislowerchalktothesouthhasveryfewfossilsinit——hereissomethingelsewhichisnotmerecarbonateoflime。Lookatit。
Alittlecockle，somethinglikeawrinkledhazel—nut。
No；thatisnocockle。MadamHowinventedthatagesandagesbeforeshethoughtofcockles，andtheanimalwhichlivedinsidethatshellwasasdifferentfromacockle—animalasasparrowisfromadog。ThatisaTerebratula，agentlemanofaveryancientandworn—outfamily。Heandhiskinswarmedintheoldseas，evenasfarbackasthetimewhentherocksoftheWelshmountainsweresoftmud；asyouwillknowwhenyoureadthatgreatbookofSirRoderickMurchison’s，Siluria。Butastheagesrolledon，theygotfewerandfewer，theseTerebratulae；andnowtherearehardlyanyofthemleft；onlysixorsevensortsareleftabouttheseislands，whichclingtostonesindeepwater；andthefirsttimeI
dredgedtwoofthemoutofLochFyne，Ilookedatthemwithawe，asonrelicsfromanotherworld，whichhadlastedonthroughunnumberedagesandchanges，suchasone’sfancycouldnotgrasp。
Butyouwillagreethat，ifMasterAnalysistookthatshelltopieces，MasterSynthesiswouldnotbelikelytoputittogetheragain；muchlesstoputittogetherintherightway，inwhichMadamHowmadeit。
Andwhatwasthat？
Bymakingalivinganimal，whichwentongrowing，thatis，makingitself；andmaking，asitgrew，itsshelltolivein。Synthesishasnotfoundoutyetthefirststeptowardsdoingthat；and，asI
believe，heneverwill。
Buttherewouldbenoharminhistrying？
Ofcoursenot。Leteverybodytrytodoeverythingtheyfancy。
Eveniftheyfail，theywillhavelearntatleastthattheycannotdoit。
Butnow——andthisisasecretwhichyouwouldneverfindoutforyourself，atleastwithoutthehelpofamicroscope——thegreaterpartofthislumpofchalkismadeupofthingswhichneitherAnalysiscanperfectlytaketopieces，norSynthesisputtogetheragain。Itismadeofdeadorganisms，thatis，thingswhichhavebeenmadebylivingcreatures。Ifyouwashedandbrushedthatchalkintopowder，youwouldfinditfulloflittlethingsliketheDentalinainthisdrawing，andmanyothercuriousforms。I
willshowyousomeunderthemicroscopeoneday。
TheyaretheshellsofanimalscalledForaminifera，becausetheshellsofsomeofthemarefullofholes，throughwhichtheyputouttinyarms。Sosmalltheyareandsomany，thattheremaybe，itissaid，fortythousandoftheminabitofchalkanincheveryway。Innumberspastcounting，somewhole，somebroken，somegroundtothefinestpowder，theymakeupvastmassesofEngland，whicharenowchalkdowns；andinsomeforeigncountriestheymakeupwholemountains。PartofthebuildingstoneoftheGreatPyramidinEgyptiscomposed，Iamtold，entirelyofthem。
Andhowdidtheygetintothechalk？
Ah！Howindeed？Letusthink。Thechalkmusthavebeenlaiddownatthebottomofasea，becausetherearesea—shellsinit。
Besides，wefindlittleatomiesexactlylikethesealivenowinmanyseas；andthereforeitisfairtosupposetheselivedintheseaalso。
Besides，theywerenotwashedintothechalkbyanysuddenflood。
Thewaterinwhichtheysettledmusthavebeenquitestill，ortheselittledelicatecreatureswouldhavebeengroundintopowder——orratherintopaste。Thereforelearnedmensoonmadeuptheirmindsthatthesethingswerelaiddownatthebottomofadeepsea，sodeepthatneitherwind，nortide，norcurrentscouldstirtheeverlastingcalm。
Ah！itisworththinkingover，foritshowshowshrewdagiantAnalysisis，andhowfastheworksinthesedays，nowthathehasgotfreeandwellfed；——worththinkingover，Isay，howournotionsabouttheselittleatomieshavechangedduringthelastfortyyears。
Weusedtofindthemsometimeswashedupamongthesea—sandonthewildAtlanticcoast；andweweretaught，inthedayswhenoldDr。
TurtonwaswritinghisbookonBritishshellsatBideford，tocallthemNautili，becausetheirshellswerelikeNautilusshells。MendidnotknowthenthattheanimalwhichlivesinthemisnomorelikeaNautilusanimalthanitislikeacow。
ForaNautilus，youmustknow，ismadelikeacuttlefish，witheyes，andstrongjawsforbiting，andarmsroundthem；andhasaheart，andgills，andastomach；andisaltogetheraverywell—
madebeast，and，Isuspect，aterribletyranttolittlefishandsea—slugs，justasthecuttlefishis。ButthecreatureswhichliveintheselittleshellsareabouttheleastfinishedofMadamHow’sworks。Theyhaveneithermouthnorstomach，eyesnorlimbs。
Theyaremerelivebagsfullofjelly，whichcantakealmostanyshapetheylike，andthrustoutarms——orwhatserveforarms——
throughtheholesintheirshells，andthencontractthemintothemselvesagain，asthisGlobigerinadoes。Whattheyfeedon，howtheygrow，howtheymaketheirexquisitely—formedshells，whether，indeed，theyare，strictlyspeaking，animalsorvegetables，Analysishasnotyetfoundout。Butwhenyoucometoreadaboutthem，youwillfindthatthey，intheirownway，arejustaswonderfulandmysteriousasabutterflyorarose；andjustasnecessary，likewise，toMadamHow’swork；foroutofthem，asItoldyou，shemakeswholesheetsofdown，wholerangesofhills。
Nooneknewanything，Ibelieve，aboutthem，savethattwoorthreekindsofthemwerefoundinchalk，tillafamousFrenchman，calledD’Orbigny，justthirtyyearsago，toldtheworldhowhehadfoundmanybeautifulfreshkinds；and，morestrangestill，thatsomeofthesekindswerestillaliveatthebottomoftheAdriatic，andoftheharbourofAlexandria，inEgypt。
Thenin1841agentlemannamedEdwardForbes，——nowwithGod——whosenamewillbeforeverdeartoallwholovescience，andhonourgeniusandvirtue，——foundintheAEgeanSea"abedofchalk，"hesaid，"fullofForaminifera，andshellsofPteropods，"formingatthebottomofthesea。
AndwhatarePteropods？
Whatyoumightcallsea—moths（thoughtheyarenotreallymoths），whichswimaboutonthesurfaceofthewater，whiletheright—
whalessuckthemintensofthousandsintothegreatwhalebonenetwhichfringestheirjaws。Herearedrawingsofthem。1。Limacina（onwhichthewhalesfeed）；and2。Hyalea，alovelylittlethinginaglassshell，whichlivesintheMediterranean。
Butsincethenstrangediscoverieshavebeenmade，especiallybythenavalofficerswhosurveyedthebottomofthegreatAtlanticOceanbeforelayingdowntheelectriccablebetweenIrelandandAmerica。Andthisiswhattheyfound：
ThatatthebottomoftheAtlanticwerevastplainsofsoftmud，insomeplaces2500fathoms（15，000feet）deep；thatis，asdeepastheAlpsarehigh。Andmore：theyfoundout，totheirsurprise，thattheoozymudoftheAtlanticfloorwasmadeupalmostentirelyofjustthesameatomiesasmakeupourchalk，especiallyglobigerinas；that，infact，avastbedofchalkwasnowformingatthebottomoftheAtlantic，withlivingshellsandsea—animalsofthemostbrilliantcolourscrawlingaboutonitinblackdarkness，andbedsofspongesgrowingoutofit，justasthespongesgrewatthebottomoftheoldchalkocean，andwereall，generationaftergeneration，turnedintoflints。
And，forreasonswhichyouwillhardlyunderstand，menarebeginningnowtobelievethatthechalkhasneverceasedtobemade，somewhereorother，formanythousandyears，eversincetheWinchesterDownswereatthebottomofthesea：andthat"theGlobigerina—mudisnotmerelyAchalkformation，butacontinuationofTHEchalkformation，soTHATWEMAYBESAIDTOBE
STILLLIVINGINTHEAGEOFCHALK。"{1}Ah，mylittleman，whatwouldInotgivetoseeyou，beforeIdie，addonesuchthoughtasthattothesumofhumanknowledge！
Sotherethelittlecreatureshavebeenlying，makingchalkoutofthelimeinthesea—water，layeroverlayer，theyoungovertheold，thedeadovertheliving，yearafteryear，ageafterage——forhowlong？
Whocantell？HowdeepthelayerofnewchalkatthebottomoftheAtlanticis，wecanneverknow。Butthelayerofliveatomiesonitisnotaninchthick，probablynotatenthofaninch。Andifitgrewatenthofaninchayear，orevenawholeinch，howmanyyearsmustithavetakentomakethechalkofourdowns，whichisinsomeparts1300feetthick？Howmanyinchesaretherein1300feet？Dothatsum，andjudgeforyourself。
Onedifferencewillbefoundbetweenthechalknowformingatthebottomoftheocean，ifiteverbecomedryland，andthechalkonwhichyoutreadonthedowns。Thenewchalkwillbefulloftheteethandbonesofwhales——warm—bloodedcreatures，whosuckletheiryounglikecows，insteadoflayingeggs，likebirdsandfish。Fortherewerenowhalesintheoldchalkocean；butourmodernoceansarefullofcachalots，porpoises，dolphins，swimminginshoalsroundanyship；andtheirbonesandteeth，andstillmoretheirear—bones，willdroptothebottomastheydie，andbefound，ageshence，inthemudwhichtheliveatomiesmake，alongwithwrecksofmightyships"Greatanchors，heapsofpearl，"
andallthatmanhaslostinthedeepseas。Andsadderfossilsyet，mychild，willbescatteredonthosewhiteplains：—
"Tothemtheloveofwomanhathgonedown，Darkrolltheirwaveso’ermanhood’snoblehead。