264 PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY OF THE SEA, AND ITS I\IETEOROLOGY. 



cloud-capped in the trade-wind regions at sea ; another indication: 

 that, with a given amount of moisture in the wind, the cloud region 

 is higher at sea than it is over the land. For most of the time 

 during his sojourn on the Peak, the sea was concealed from view 

 by the cloud stratum below, though the sky was clear overhead. 

 Farther to the north, in the Atlantic, however, as in the fog region 

 about the meeting of the cool and warm currents near the Grand 

 Banks, the look-out at the masthead often finds himself above the fog 

 or cloud in which the lower parts of the ship are enveloped. Going 

 stiU farther towards the north and reaching the ice, the cloud region 

 would again, for obvious reasons, mount up until you reached the 

 open sea there, when again it w^ould touch the earth with its smoke. 



510. In the harbour of Callao, in Peru, which is filled Avith the 

 Fogs in the harbour cool watcrs of Humboldt's currcut, I have seen the^ 

 of Callao. i^g^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, will 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, apparently skimming through the air and 

 dancing on the fog in a manner at once both magical and fantastic 

 At other times the cloud stratum is thicker and higher. Then, 

 may be seen three masts coming into port w^ith topgallant-sails and 

 royals set, but no ship. These sails, nicely trimmed and swelling to 

 the breeze in the sky, swim 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 w^hicli 

 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 over 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 vapours 

 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 between 

 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- 



