258 NIMROD OF THE SEA; OR, 



CHAPTER XXII. 



Water-spout described. Query: Effect on Newton's Theory. Kanaka 

 Hymns. Stupor and Gloom. The old Woman's Curse. Flying-fish. 

 Dolphin. Albicore a sign of Whales. Angling for Albicore. Poison- 

 ous Fish. Influence of the Moon on Fish and Men. A benevolent 

 Enemy. Scrimshoning and Pigs. The Pig as a Pillow. Man-of-war 

 Hawk. Strange Companionship at Mast-head. 



GOSSE, in his " Wonders of the Great Deep," says: 

 " These are perhaps the most majestic of all those ( works 

 of the Lord and his wonders of the deep ' which they behold 

 ' who go down to the sea in ships !' They frequently appear 

 as perpendicular columns of many hundred feet in height, 

 and three feet or more in diameter, reaching from the sur- 

 face of the sea to the clouds. The edge of the pillar is per- 

 fectly clear and well-defined, and the effect has been com- 

 pared to a column of frosted glass. A series of spiral lines 

 run around it, and the whole has a rapid spiral motion, which 

 is very apparent, though it is not easy to determine whether 

 it is an ascending or a descending line. Generally the body 

 of the clouds above descend below the common level, join- 

 ing the pillar in the form of a funnel. Much more constant 

 is the presence of the visible foot, the sea being raised in a 

 great heap with a bubbling and whirling motion, the upper 

 part of which is lost in the mass of spray and foam which is 

 driven rapidly round. The column or columns, for there are 

 frequently more than one, move slowly forward with a state- 

 ly and majestic step, sometimes inclining from the perpen- 

 di'cular, now becoming curved, and now taking a twisted 

 form." 



