oceanographer
n. 海洋学家

possession
n. 1. the act or state of possessing or being possessed 拥有；具有
2. (often pl.) personal property ［常复数］所有物；

keen
a. 1. good, strong, quick at understanding 敏锐的
2. (on, to) eager or anxious to do sth. 热切的

intensely
ad. greatly or extremely; strongly 极度地；强烈地

intense
a. great or extreme; strong 极度的；强烈的

intensity
n. 1. 强烈，剧烈
2. 强度，烈度

concerning
prep.(fml) about; with regard to; in connection with 关于

earthly
a. of this world as opposed to heaven; material rather than spiritual 尘世的，世俗的

Phrases and Expressions

preside over
direct (a committee or other formal group of people); have or exercise control or authority over (sth.) 主持（委员会等）；掌管（某事）

wish for
have a desire for; long for 想要；希望得到

pave the way (for)
make smooth or easy (for); be a preparation (for) 为…铺平道路；为…作准备

at sb.'s disposal
available for one to use as one wishes 由某人支配或使用

wonder at
be surprised by or curious about 对…感到惊讶

natural selection
the theory developed by Charles Darwin that plants and animals best suited to the conditions around them survive while those not suited to the conditions die out 自然选择（指生物界适者生存不适者被淘汰的现象）

a matter of sth./doing sth.
a question of; an instance or a case of 一个…的问题；一件…的事

open up
make or become open or accessible 打开；开放

be weary of
be tired of; be bored with 对…感到厌倦

look about
look around; examine the place or state of affairs 扫视四周；观察（事态）

be in possession of
have in one's possession; maintain control over 拥有；控制

as to
about; concerning 关于；有关

Proper Names

Rachel Carson
雷切尔·卡森（女子名）

Otto Pettersson
奥托·彼得森（男子名）