386 MIRAGE. 



forgotten, whilst that which was great among them 

 has proved immortal. 



So may it be with us all. 



Among the phenomena witnessed in countries subject 

 to the influence of a powerful sun, that of mirage is 

 undoubtedly one of the most notable. It is, however, 

 by no means confined to sandy deserts, as is generally 

 supposed, though it is often seen there in its most 

 strikingly wonderful forms, being evidently created by 

 waves of highly rarified air, thrown off by the intensely 

 heated ground. 



Mirage is, therefore, always strongest close to the 

 surface of the earth, where its vibrations have the effect 

 of so greatly distorting all natural objects in the land- 

 scape, that their transformation is often so complete as 

 to produce an optical illusion of the most remarkable 

 kind. Mirage may, however, be seen on the surface 

 of water, in lakes, and lagoons, and even at sea it is 

 by no means uncommon. Thus, not long ago the news- 

 papers reported the loss of the American barquantine 

 'Steadfast' wrecked on the island of St. Croix, while 

 on her way from Trinidad to Philadelphia with a cargo 

 of asphalt. The crew report that the wreck was 

 caused by mirage, which made the island seem many 

 miles away, when the vessel was close to the reefs. " * 



We may also mention that while crossing the great 

 Australian Bight, we have ourselves been a witness 

 to one of the most wonderful instances of marine 

 mirage which could be imagined. The event took 

 place from 5 to 6 p.m. on January iith, 1895, when 

 our ship was over 100 miles from any land. The 



* The Times of Nov. nth, 1891, p. 13. 



