172 TOILERS IN THE SEA. 



which I felt when first I viewed the beautiful phos- 

 phorescence phenomena of the ocean. Beautiful as 

 this spectacle is, even in qur own seas, in warmer 

 latitudes, and in the Mediterranean, it is far more 

 splendid ; but, to be seen at all, it is necessary that 

 the water should be disturbed in some way, the 

 slightest breeze curling the surface of the tranquil 

 ocean, calls forth from its waters a flash of phos- 

 phorescent fire as it sweeps along the wave, as it 

 falls from the vessel's side, and breaks into ten 

 thousand pieces, reveals innumerable globes of ani- 

 mated fire, suddenly called forth from the darkness 

 which enveloped them each stroke of the dripping 

 oar scatters thousands of living gems around them, 

 unequalled in brilliancy by the glittering of a kingly 

 diadem a golden path of light, increasing in breadth 

 as the distance becomes greater, follows, like an 

 attendant comet, the wake of the vessel urged on- 

 wards by the impelling wind and the fisher's net, 

 just raised to the water's edge, and laden with spoil 

 collected from the secret beds, and hiding-places of 

 the great deep, seems converted into a golden frame- 

 work, set with precious jewels, by the presence of 

 numerous zoophytes entangled in its meshes. Indeed, 

 in whatever way the water is agitated the same 

 beautiful appearance follows ; if a little be placed 

 even in the palm of the hand, and shaken, bright 

 scintillations will be emitted ; but, of course, the 



