XX. 



On board the cutter A Ibatross At sea Medusae Rene is again a "martyr 

 of science " Physalia An old tale by Father Lucas A sailor's fancy 

 that cost its author dear Phosphorescence of the sea How the Medusae 

 grow Alternation of generations Arrival at Etretat. 



" ARE you all there ? One, two, three ! Courage, boys, 

 courage ! " And Father Lucas, with the help of five 

 powerful sailors, pushed into the sea the bark that, 

 drawn up on the sand, had awaited the rise of the 

 tide. A blue pennant hung at the top of the mast, 

 and a large tricolour flag, quite new, fluttered from 

 the boom. 



Their provisions, luggage, and some lifebelts (it is 

 well to foresee everything when about to trust oneself 

 to the ocean) had been sent down beforehand. 



After them the three voyagers arrived. The young 

 men boldly entered in the water half-way up their legs 

 in order to get on board the vessel. As for Uncle Bob, 

 he was obliged to resign himself to being carried by a 

 sturdy sailor, by the aid of whose shoulders he gained 

 the deck of the cutter. 



" Is all ready ? " said Father Lucas ; " then we will 

 start." 



