VEGETABLE LAMPS. 127 



CHAPTER XVII. 



VEGETABLE LAMPS. 



ONE of the most remarkable and awe-inspiring phenom- 

 ena of the ocean is the water-spout, a lofty column 

 composed of tons of water, whirling upward, lifted by the 

 mighty force of the wind. From a distance the formation 

 of a spout is an interesting sight. In my own observations, 

 there has generally been a low-lying bank of dark lead-col- 

 ored cloud to announce its coming. From this a sharp cone, 

 seemingly of cloud, was seen to drop, and in a very few 

 moments an attenuated pillar rose from the water directly 

 beneath it. The two appeared to meet, and, the alliance 

 consummated, the lofty column moved away with a greater 

 or less velocity. 



Near proximity to them is not unaccompanied with dan- 

 ger ; and I once found myself in the centre of four or 

 five, which were moving slowly about. The wind almost 

 entirely died away, so that had our boat been a large one, 

 we would have been completely at the mercy of the aqueous 

 giants ; as it was, we lowered the sail, and taking the oars, 

 succeeded in avoiding them all. 



It is the general impression, that if a water-spout touches 

 an object, or is struck, its form is broken, and the water 

 descends; but this is not always the case. I was stand- 



