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Dunstan Times, Issue 517, 15 March 1872, Page 3

The Scientific American mentions that the Indians of North America manage to see fish a considerable dis'ance under water by the following plan They cut a hole in the ice and then cover it with a blanket ii, such a way -as to exclude the direct rays of the sun. By doing this and putting the head under the blanket it is astonishing, says the writer of the note, with what clearness the subaqueous world is lighted up. Having once had occasion to examine the bottom of a mill-pond, he constructed a float of inch plank sufficient to buoy him up, cut a hole in the centre, and covered it with a blanket. By this means he was enabled to view the bottom of the pond distinctly, and recover several lost tools which were lying there. He suggests that the experiment might bo tried on the sea. and that an observatory fitted to a craft like the Great Eastern, and provided with suitable glasses, would enable us to “gaze dow-u into the depths of the sea the same as we cau survey the starry heavens at midnight.” At all events, by this simple plan of a raft with a hole in the middle, observers might be able to learn something more than they know- about the inhabitants of the water. We recommend the plan to naturalists, aud should be glad to hear of its success.