152 



NATURE FOR ITS OWN SAKE 



acres lying back from it. Out of the ocean 

 come the vapors that form the clouds ; and 

 the massive ranks of nimbus that voyage inland 

 with the storm, creating uproar all along the 

 coast, are the water-carriers for the land. The 

 fountain, the stream, the brook, the river, and 

 the lake ; the dew on the grass, the sap in the 

 tree, the color of the flower, and all the gorgeous 

 garmenting of creation, are due to the vapors 

 of the sea. If the time ever comes when there 

 shall be " no more sea," then will come with it 

 an end of all life. The primary physical condi- 

 tions of life here on earth are heat, light, and 

 moisture. With the last element gone, the first 

 would follow, and the second would be rendered 

 useless. The world would be as cold, dead, and 

 colorless as our skeleton satellite the moon. The 

 dread sea so-called was not created in vain. 

 It has its uses and it certainly has its beauties. 

 Mare horrendum it may be to some ; but to 

 those who know it well and have lived upon 

 it or beside it all their lives, it is as lovable 

 in its stern character and majestic desolation 

 as the sands of Sahara to the wandering Bedou- 

 in, or the tumbled-and-tossed Bad Lands of 

 Dakota to the predatory Sioux. 



