140 THE BOTTOM OF TEE SEA. 



long, upon the coast of Brazil. Some naturalists 

 relate instances in which tunnies still longer have 

 been captured, and which were otherwise remarkable 

 for their unusual dimensions. 



In many other cases, and sometimes to capture a 

 prey less precious, man is himself forced to descend to 

 the bottom of the sea. It is thus that he fishes the 

 sponge, the pearl, the trepang, and the coral. We 

 will devote a special chapter to these adventurous 

 and barbarous expeditions. At present we continue 

 our observations from the shores, or, at least, we will 

 just now explore such parts only of the bottom as we 

 can sound by means of a boat. 



Here is a quantity of spawn floating on the sur- 

 face. This spawn is composed of a number of eggs, 

 united by a transparent jelly. It serves as pasture 

 to fish of every kind ; but that which is not devoured 

 will become little fish, and be called to higher desti- 

 nies, if the sticklebacks, greediest of all the small fry, 

 do not destroy it, or if the swell of the sea does 

 nut throw it upon the coast, where it will corrupt 

 and spread around a phosphorescent glow. 



At the bottom, the cod, the herring, the mackeiel, 

 the tunny, and other fish have deposited their spawn 

 in the crannies of the rocks, under the stones, in all 

 places well defended against the agitation of the 

 waters. Notwithstanding these precautions, how 



