THE TEEMING LIFE OF THE WATERS 



^r^"^"^^. 



strange sights are frequently to be seen. When the 

 current bears along tinted animals, such as little sail- 

 bearing jelly-fish, the Velellas, which are like violet 

 plaques, they surround the boat as it lies at anchor 

 and envelop it with a continually renewed stream. 

 Round us we see these creatures rise as they slowly 

 draw near, borne by the current, pass on either side 

 of the boat, then disappear, 

 unceasingly replaced by 

 others like themselves, 

 which approach and go oft 

 again in the same way. 

 For hour after hour this 

 uninterrupted stream of liv- 

 ing creatures borne by the 

 sea comes and goes, slowly, 

 softly, silently, with a 

 smooth, continuous move- 

 ment, like a seemingly end- 

 less series of cohorts. 



The myths of antiquity, 

 founded upon a keen obser- 

 vation of nature, are to a 

 certain extent based upon FlG 8 ._ Phosphorescent j e ii y - 



fact. When Neptune, be- fish. The diameter of the 



fore the assembly of the 

 gods, boasted of the extent 

 and wealth of his empire, he only announced a truth 

 which modern science is perfectly ready to admit. His 

 subjects are, indeed, the most numerous and the most 

 varied of all living things. Their guardian Proteus, 

 who acts as their shepherd and has the power to 

 change his form at will, is a symbol of their diversity. 

 When we have looked upon the astounding spectacle 

 of these shoals of floating beings, borne by the currents, 

 stranding, sometimes, upon the shore which they 

 strew with their remains, we see the shining sea, 

 sparkling in the sunlight, with other eyes. We see 



*5 



dome-shaped umbrella may be 

 four inches or more. 



