THE WONDERS OF VEGETATION. 275 



in this respect as we approach either the poles or the 

 equator. 



But at the bottom of the sea vegetation is richest 

 under the equator. " Let us leave," says Schleiden, 

 " the aquatic forest of the north and their gigantic 

 plants, some of which, as the pear-bearing algse (mac- 

 rocystis pyrifera) are from 500 to 1,500 feet long, 

 and turn to the regions where the sun is more power- 

 ful, to see if we find here the same profusion of vege- 

 tation. Let us plunge into the limpid crystal of the 

 Indian Ocean, and immediately before our eyes will 

 be displayed the most enchanting, the most marvel- 

 lous spectacle. Massive trees with singular branches 

 bear living flowers. Large and compact meandrines 

 and astrese form a strange contrast with their jointed 

 arms covered with finger-like branches. The colors sur- 

 pass description. The freshest green alternates with 

 brown or yellow ; deep purple tints blend with bright 

 red, pale brown and the deepest blue. Some milli- 

 pores, of a bright red, yellow or peach color, cover the 

 withered masses and are themselves covered with 

 beautiful pearl-colored retipores, resembling the most 

 exquisite carvings in ivory. By their side delicate 

 fans wave to and fro, the light yellow gorgonir, 

 and the pure sand of the bottom is marked with stars 

 and extraordinary forms of the most varied colors. 

 Around the flowers of the coral, little fishes, reflecting 

 a metallic sheen in red and blue, the humming-birds 

 of the sea, sport like the spirits of the abyss, and 

 medusae steer their huge, milky white, or light blue 

 bells across the enchanted region. Isabelles (Holocan- 



