Fata Morgana at Gibraltar. 215 



terday commenced at Europa Point, and passing along the east- 

 ern side of the Rock, stretched along the coast of Spain, then curv- 

 ing across the Mediterranean about twenty miles east of us, re- 

 turned westward along the African coast, and bending round the 

 promontory of Ceuta, terminated at Apes' hill, so that we were 

 completely surrounded, except a narrow opening in the direction of 

 the straits. The phenomenon was observable in all this extent, but 

 most striking over the water to the east of us, and at Ceuta and Eu- 

 ropa Point. The atmosphere to a height of about two hundred or 

 two hundred and fifty feet above the water, had an obscured and 

 grey appearance, much like a fog, although I think it looked less dense 

 and material than is the usual appearance of fogs. Near the upper 

 edge it grew darker, and at length terminated in a well defined dark 

 line, generally horizontal, but sometimes slightly undulating. Along 

 this line, towards the African shore, we had frequently the appear- 

 ance of islands, sometimes single, sometimes grouped, every two or 

 three minutes changing their shapes. We were steering east. In 

 front of us on either bow, and about eight miles distant, was a small 

 lateen vessel carrying a press of sail : they were very distinct, their 

 white sails glittering in the sun, and it was evident they had not 

 reached the magic circle. A little to the right of the southernmost 

 of these, however, a vessel, apparently of the same kind, was sus- 

 pended from the upper line of the fog. It was of a dusky color, 

 and not well defined, but I could only make out that it was a vessel 

 with sails, and in an inverted position. Half way between it and 

 the African coast was another vessel, a much larger one, for it reach- 

 ed halfway down towards the horizon. It was also dark colored, 

 but was better defined than the other, and had the tall tapering ap- 

 pearance of a brig, with bow or stern towards us. Both of these 

 vessels were sometimes more distinct than at others, and also varied 

 slightly in their size. While I was looking at them another appear- 

 ed between them, of a white color, and very distinct, but in half a 

 minute it began to fade away, and soon disappeared. To the south- 

 ward of these vessels, along the upper line, were also numerous isl- 

 ands, sometimes grouped, sometimes single, and constantly changing 

 their form and size. In twelve minutes after I had begun to notice 

 these phenomena, the foggy appearance began to ascend above this 

 dark line, and soon after another line of the same kind was formed 

 an equal distance above it, but without any of the spectral vessels. 

 These still kept their place on the first line ; but three minutes after, 



