104 THE DEPTHS OF THE OCEAN. 



rainbow are put to shame on a bright sunny day, by 

 what meets the view on looking into the sea in 

 these fairy regions." 



On another occasion, lieutenant Wellsted says : 

 " Through the bright blue and pellucid water, we 

 could discern the minutest objects at an immense 

 depth, andj the secrets of the deep, thus laid open to 

 us, afforded us the most magnificent spectacle that 

 could be conceived ; although there were neither 



* Wedges of gold, vast anchors, heaps of pearls, 

 Nor other treasures of the vasty deep.'" 



Ehrenberg was so much struck by the corals 

 in the Red Sea, that he exclaimed with enthu- 

 siasm, " Where is the paradise of flowers that can 

 rival in variety and beauty these living wonders of 

 the ocean ?" 



The growing coral field is singularly attractive. 

 Such a combination of two terms, indeed, the one 

 calling up the idea of inorganic, and the other of 

 organic matter all the difference, in fact, between a 

 stone and a vegetable may appear strange ; yet, on 

 due consideration, the junction of the two will be 

 found not only warrantable, but appropriate. For 

 in the depths of the ocean, trees, shrubs, and other 

 plants of various kinds, not merely of horny, but 

 calcareous substance, grow mingled together, like 

 the plants of the land, and often in the richest 

 profusion. Nor is this similarity confined to general 

 form ; for the coral-making polyps are flowers both 



