21 
PLATE УП. 
Although it was my original intention to confine myself merely to the description of the 
plates, still I thought, that the reader might find it desirable to have some information with respect 
to the submarine views and to the contrivance adopted for the purpose of taking them. 
In order to be enabled to observe the life existing in the sea as well as in an aquarium 
and to make sketches of submarine landscapes, I constructed a small diving bell of plate iron, 8 
feet high by 215 in width. Besides a smaller window of plate-glass at the top for the admission 
of light, а second one of 8 inches in diameter was made in front, which allowed the diver to gaze 
freely into the depth of the water. For my accomodation when sketching, a movable iron bar was 
fastened below. 
The weight of seven Cwts were requisite to submerge the bell almost totally under the 
level of the water. Then the diver entered the bell and by means of lines, which were fastened to 
a couple of weights lying on the bottom of the sea, he was enabled to lower his machine as far 
down as he thought proper. The bottom being now reached, the diver found himself in the po- 
sition to move forward in amy direction by simply raising the weights ВВ, while the boat with 
the air-pump followed in his wake. 
In many instances the bell was merely submerged 
in one or two fathoms of water and kept floating in the 
same position by long ropes fastened to the adjoining rocks. 
It may seem odd to use a diving bell in such shallow 
water, but those who have been un der the surface of the 
waves and observed the great difference of distinctness, 
picturesque effect and even of the form of any thing seen 
under water in any other way, will form a different 
opinion. 
The difficulties thrown in the way of the diver and 
artist by eurrents and waves even in shallow water, are 
of themselves considerable and only such a simple appa- 
ratus, as I made use of, could be employed in a country, 
where one has wholly to depend upon the Coolies for 
assistance. 
The beauty of the submarine scenery is perhaps no- 
а a windows, 
bb bb BB weights. where greater than in moderate depth and far more sketches, 
d ërem than I have been able to take here, would not be sufficient 
d level ої the water inside the ከ6ቪ 1 В 3 ET š 
e boat. to give more than an imperfect idea of its great variety. 
‘The general effect of this species of scenery in respect to colour, is of course very different 
from that resulting from the appearance of our own landscapes, the prevaling hue under water 
bemg a more or less bluish or yellowish green, by which the colours of the objects are very 
much altered, particulary when situated at some distance. 
Red appears always dull and is impossible to be distinguished at a short distance. Yellow 
and even blue are changed, except in the foreground, into a somewhat of a greenish hue, while 
green itself is of an astonishing brilliancy and even becomes comparatively brighter at a remote 
distance. White also remains visible, when far removed from the eye, but then thoroughly assumes 
the green hue of the water. 
