When Captain Nemo spoke thus, he seemed altogether changed, and aroused an extraordinary emotion in me. “Also,” he added, “true existence is there; and I can imagine the foundations of nautical towns, clusters of submarine houses, which, like the Nautilus, would ascend every morning to breathe at the surface of the water, free towns, independent cities. Yet who knows whether some despot——” Captain Nemo finished his sentence with a violent gesture. Then, addressing me as if to chase away some sorrowful thought: “M. Aronnax,” he asked, “do you know the depth of the ocean?” “I only know, Captain, what the principal soundings have taught us.” “Could you tell me them, so that I can suit them to my purpose?” “These are some,” I replied, “that I remember. If I am not mistaken, a depth of 8,000 yards has been found in the North Atlantic, and 2,500 yards in the Mediterranean. The most remarkable soundings have been made in the South Atlantic, near the thirty-fifth parallel, and they gave 12,000 yards, 14,000 yards, and 15,000 yards. To sum up all, it is reckoned that if the bottom of the sea were levelled, its mean depth would be about one and three-quarter leagues.” “Well, Professor,” replied the Captain, “we shall show you better than that I hope. As to the mean depth of this part of the Pacific, I tell you it is only 4,000 yards.” Having said this, Captain Nemo went towards the panel, and disappeared down the ladder.