274 THE PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY OF THE SEA. 



610. In the harbor of Callao, in Pern, which is filled with the 

 Fogs in the harbor ^ool watcrs of Hnmboldt's currcnt, I have seen the 

 of Callao. i^^y covered with a fog only a few inches high. I 



have seen fogs there so dense, and with outlines so sharp, as 

 to conceal from view the row-boats approaching the ship's side. 

 These fogs, especially early in the morning, are sometimes so 

 thick as to conceal from view not only the boat, but the persons 

 of the crew up to the neck, so as to leave nothing visible but 

 two rows of trunkless heads nodding catenaries at the oars, skim- 

 ming through the air and dancing on the fog in a manner at 

 once both magical and fantastic. At other times the cloud stra- 

 tum is thicker and higher. Then may be seen three masts com- 

 ing into port with topgallant-sails and royals set, but no ship. 

 These sails, nicely trimmed and swelling to the breeze in the sky, 

 skim along over the clouds, and seem like things in a fairy scene. 

 However, there are influences exerted in the formation of clouds 

 and fogs over and near the land which appear not to be felt at 

 sea. 



511. In the extra- tropical north, the cloud region is high over 

 The cloudy latitudes, the land, low ovcr the water; and, as a rule, the 

 farther inland, the dryer the air and the higher the cloud region. 

 In the circum-antarctic regions, where all is sea, the rising vapors 

 form themselves into clouds low down, and keep the face of the 

 sky almost uninterruptedly obscured. The southern eaves of the 

 cloud plane (§ 509), like the calm belts, vary their latitude as the 

 sun does its declination, though their place is generally found be- 

 tween the parallels of 50° and 70° S. — farther or nearer according 

 to the season ; but under this edge, wherever it be, the mariner's 

 heart is seldom made glad by the cheering influences of a clear 

 sky. If not wrapped in mist, or covered with snow, or pelted 

 with hail, or drenched with rain, as he sails through these lati- 

 tudes, he is dispirited under the influences of the gloomy and 

 murky weather which pervades those regions. His hope in the 

 "brave west winds" and trust in the prowess of a noble ship are 

 then his consolation and his comfort. 



512. Such are the quantities of vapor rising up from the en- 

 why there should he girdling occau about thosc austral regions, that it 



lerts atmosphere in, ^, niji i ■_• 



the southern than in kccps permanently expelled thence a large portion 



the northern hemi- „ ,t , i mi -n 'i. c ^ 



sphere. of the atmosphcrc. i he specific gravity or dry air 



