fi2 THE BOTTOM OF THE SEA. 



the immense volume of polar water* gives birth to 

 these microscopic animalculse ?" 



In the same latitudes, with a bottom of more than 

 5000 feet, the sea presented the same tint, and 

 yielded the same animalculae. It would appear as if 

 the great Peruvian current, just alluded to, was 

 filled with them. The same phenomenon was ob- 

 served as the frigate approached New Zealand, 

 where it arrived in the month of October. 



In tlie polar regions, seamen often observe green 

 bands of considerable extent, and extremely well 

 defined. They are found to enclose myriads of 

 medusae. These animals have a yellowish tint, which 

 combines with the blue of the sea to produce a green 

 colour. 



Enormous masses of microscopic animals floating 

 on the surface of the sea near Cape Palmas, were 

 traversed by Tuckey, whose ship,«eemed to swim in 

 milk. Other navigators have observed zones of a red 

 colour, like carmine, in the Great Ocean. The cause of 

 this phenomenon is analogous to those already related. 

 It is owing to an immense number of animalculse, or 

 of microscopic algae, floating near the surface. 



Besides these minute bodies, sea-water holds in 



* The great ocean-current flowing from the antarctic pole towards 

 the equat'r, and known as the whaling-ground of the soutlicru 

 Btas. — See Maury's 9th Plate.— Tb, 



