OCEAN PLAINS 



115 



along the dim sea-line looking for land, which 

 is really the last thing we should look for if 

 we wish to see it. Presently we seize upon a 

 pale outline that seems to enclose a pale blue 

 cloud. That is usually the first appearance of 

 land from the sea, especially if it be a moun- 

 tainous coast. The rocky top shows first. It 

 is seen through a thinner stratum of air than 

 that lying close down along the water, and 

 hence appears clearer and nearer. As we ap- 

 proach, it begins to darken in color and take 

 sharper outline against the sky; but it still re- 

 mains as a flat cloud-like affair with its base 

 cut off by thick layers of atmosphere. When 

 it finally begins to show depth as well as width 

 and height, it also begins to reach down and 

 have a foundation in the sea. Last of all is 

 seen the white foam of the beach or the dash of 

 waves upon the rocky coast. 



Quite the opposite of this is the approach 

 to a low-lying shore where there are no moun- 

 tains or headlands or even tall trees, where 

 there are long lines of sand spits and flattened 

 dunes creeping dowm to the water's edge. The 

 land now shows as a long half-submerged line 

 upon the water like an enormous sea serpent 

 stretched out asleep. It lifts a little as we 

 approach, shows inequalities here and there; 



Land in 

 light. 



Appearance 

 of rocky 

 coaat*. 



A ppearance 

 of low- 

 lying 

 thoret. 



