

INTRODUCTION. 



THE SEA, which is the least explored of Nature's realms, holds 

 within it a wonderfully organized world, peculiar to itself. It 

 abounds with a living flora and fauna, which, though obscure and 

 strange, are equally beautiful and useful. An endeavor has been 

 made to exhibit in one group, representations of some of the most 

 interesting submarine forms, occurring in southern latitudes, off 

 the coasts of America ; observing their forms, colors, and habits, 

 so truthfully, that the plate shall prove of value to the lover of 

 nature, and afford delight and instruction, to the intelligent mind 

 and cultivated taste. Seventy-five species of the lower forms of 

 vegetable and animal life are shown of their natural size, and as 

 they appear in their native element. The grouping may be con- 

 sidered, rather as an intellectual truth, than as a literal view. 

 It might be termed a mental oasis of the sea. And it should be 

 remembered that the floor of the ocean is not every where adorned 

 with such forms of beauty. On the contrary, it has its seeming 

 wastes of vast extent, as well as the dry land. But even in those 

 apparent deserts, the plummet has revealed myriads of minute 

 Diatomacece. In looking down from a boat, through moderately 

 clear water, I have observed a floor so desolate, that my first im- 

 pulse was to pronounce it a cheerless blank ; but on drawing the 

 dredge, it has afforded a rich variety of objects of great interest- 



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