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SUBMARINE LIFE. 



1 Exuberance of Life in the Depths of the Ocean — Tableau of the 

 Tropical Seas — Life in the Seas of the Tempei-ateand tlie Frozen 

 Zones — Natural lUumiuation of the Oceanic Abysses. 



Shall we say the play of life is pleasing to the 

 J)eity ? Everywhere we see, or we sensate, that great 

 and incomprehensible manifestation of His omiiipo- 

 tence. Myriads of animals and plants people the 

 earth and the air with forms of grace and beauty ; 

 but in no part does the creative power reveal itself 

 with more of grandeur and magnificence than in the 

 abysses of Ocean. There, in fact, may be discovered 

 the principles of all life. In the inspired account of 

 the creation we are told that " in the beginning " the 

 Spirit of God '* moved u\K>n the face of the waters." 

 The surfac,e of the sea is less varied than that of the 

 dry land ; but look deep into its bosom, and no region 

 of the earth could give so vivid an idea of the exu- 

 berance of life. Forms the most unexpected, a 

 fecundity the most marvellous, challenge our admi- 

 ration at every step we take through these wonderful 

 regions. Here, to all appearance, is a planr, a minia- 

 ture tree growing upon a rock ; its branches ar.'» 



