THE MARINE GAEDES". 217 



the eye cannot explore it when the surface is rough. Each boat 

 IS therefore provided with " water glasses," wooden boxes about 

 eight or ten inches square, open at the top, with window 

 glass bottoms ; to the boxes are attached wooden handles from 

 eighteen inches to three feet long. Holding this little instru- 

 ment over the side of a boat at anchor, in such a manner that 

 the glass bottom is immersed, the observer who looks through 

 the open end of the water glass can see all the " wonders of the 

 deep " in the line of his vision as plainly as he could if no water 

 intervened. 



This marine garden is made up of the most exquisite submerged 

 coral bowers and grottoes, which rival the choicest productions 

 of the floral world in form and color. We can hardly believe 

 our eyes when such charming and unexpected beauties are first 

 revealed by the water glass. The madrepora or branching coral 

 is very abundant, and is here and there seen of a large size. The 

 astrsea or brain coral also abounds, and masses of it are seen many 

 feet in diameter. Alcyonoid polyps, (delicate coral shrubs,) vie 

 with the gay, varied and luxuriant algae in decorating the garden 

 with their curious growths. They are peculiarly delicate in form, 

 graceful in motion, and attractive in color. The gorgonias or 

 sea-fans, also diversified in size and color, unite with the largo 

 clusters of tall, purple sea-feathers in challenging the admiration 

 of all beholders, as they gracefully wave in the clear water like 

 tall flowering shrubs in the wind. 



Sponges are here also seen, clustered and combined in their 

 little miniature cities, and immovably fastened to the rocky shelf 

 upon which the warm, clear, beautiful waters rest. JS'ew and 

 exquisite forms of coral beauty startle and charm us as our yacht 

 slowly circles round her anchor in different portions of this curi- 

 ous nautical exhibition. Into deep alcoves and recesses, and far 

 under shelving masses of corals, we inquiringly gaze, but an im- 



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