50 Voyage of the Novara. 



point of observation. The surface of the current of warm 

 air appeared like a light fog, inclining in the East towards 

 the Spanish coast, and in the South-east to South towards the 

 surface of the sea. Where it was highest it reached nearly 

 five degrees above the horizon. The images of the ships at 

 anchor near Malaga, and those at sea under sail, appeared re- 

 versed, and assumed curiously fantastic forms, particularly in 

 those places where the reflecting surface became irregular, and 

 inclined towards the horizon. The appearance of these 

 distorted ships in the air, joining in the most singular way 

 the real ones actually floating on the sea, — the warm vapour 

 which is from time to time wafted on the face of the 

 observer, as well as the perfect and almost death-like still- 

 ness which, under such circumstances, prevails both on the sea 

 and in the atmosphere, may easily produce the belief in a 

 mysterious power, among a people who are generally prone to 

 ascribe to supernatural agencies every phenomenon they 

 cannot understand or explain. 



This " Fata Morgana " * was not merely interesting in 

 itself, but also gave reason to indulge in the hope of a favour- 

 able wind. A light easterly breeze accordingly sprang up 

 towards midnight, the current became reversed, the anchor 

 was weighed, and all sail made with this favourable wind to- 

 wards Gibraltar, the rock of which was distinctly recognizable 

 through the misty air, at a distance of nearly sixty miles. 



* The name Morgana is of Breton origin, and signifies "sea woman," from 

 vior, sea, ami ijan, a line woman ; — the fairy mermaid of EngUsh legcndaiy tales. 



