58 



THE UNIVERSE. 



This immense plain of Algae, known as the Sargasso Sea, 

 which seems to bind the waves, well-nigh hindered the dis- 

 covery of America. The progress of the vessels of Colum- 

 bus being seriously impeded at this spot, the crews became 



23. Sargassum, or Swimming Fucus : Fucus bacciferus. 



alarmed, and, dreading that they would never be able to 

 extricate themselves, mutinied, imperiously demanding that 

 they should be taken back to their native country. 



There is one very remarkable phenomenon connected 



