THE HOME OF THE WEST WIND 149 



Zephyr ; each towered alert and strained upon the 

 sea ; for the immemorial enemy would surely waken 

 from sleep refreshed, the storm-wind of the equinox 

 only awaited a signal to let loose once more his 

 thunderbolts. 



Strata, like a frozen wave, undulate in great 

 ribbons from high -water mark round the shore. 

 These are most clearly shown at sea-level, but in- 

 dicated even to the uppermost turrets of the cliff's 

 crown. A shadow drifts across the scene, cools 

 the warmth of the weeds, and reveals things unseen 

 in the glare of the sun. Along the cliffs, where ling 

 hangs in great cushions and sea-campion studs the 

 rocks with white stars, sheep have clambered and stand 

 in the shade, waiting patiently while the sun turns 

 westward. The smell of the sea and the outspread 

 life of a world unknown make their appeal from 

 the rocks and the weeds. Gardens shine up out 

 of the clear pools forests, jungles, deserts, peopled 

 by transparent prawns and tiny fish that dart among 

 the foliage of silver and rose and gold, or seek their 

 invisible prey in groves of ebony and orange, among 

 flowers and fabrics of sepia and lemon, emerald-green 

 and purple wine-colour. The sea -anemones are mere 

 dabs of ruby or yellow or green jelly seen out of 

 their element, but beneath it, they wave their flesh- 

 coloured tentacles, winnow the water, and turn 

 to flowers. Amazing are the shapes of the sea 

 weeds, and beautiful beyond expression is the 

 mingled harmony of their vegetation in hair-like and 



