THE MARINE GARDEN. 217 
the eye cannot explore it when the surface is rough. Each boat 
is therefore provided with ‘‘ water glasses,” wooden boxes about 
eight or ten inches square, open at the top, with window 
glass bottoms ; to the boxes are attached wooden handles from 
eighteen inches to three feet long. Holding this little instru- 
ment over the side of a boat at anchor, in such a manner that 
the glass bottom is immersed, the observer who looks through 
the open end of the water glass can see all the ‘‘ wonders of the 
deep” in the line of his vision as plainly as he could if no water 
intervened. 
This marine garden is made up of the most exquisite submerged 
coral bowers and grottoes, which rival the choicest productions 
of the floral world in form and color. We can hardly believe 
our eyes when such charming and unexpected beauties are first 
revealed by the water glass. The madrepora or branching coral 
is very abundant, and is here and there seen of a largé size. The 
astrea or brain coral also abounds, and masses of it are seen many 
feet in diameter. Alcyonoid polyps, (delicate coral shrubs,) vie 
with the gay, varied and luxuriant alge in decorating the garden 
with their curious growths. They are peculiarly delicate in form, 
graceful in motion, and attractive in color. The gorgonias or 
sea-fans, also diversified in size and color, unite with the large 
clusters of tall, purple sea-feathers in challenging the admiration 
of all beholders, as they gracefully wave in the clear water like 
tall flowering shrubs in the wind. 
Sponges are here also seen, clustered and combined in their 
little miniature cities, and immovably fastened to the rocky shelf 
upon which the warm, clear, beautiful waters rest. New and 
exquisite forms of coral beauty startle and charm usas our yacht 
slowly circles round her anchor in different portions of this curi- 
ous nautical exhibition. Into deep alcoves and recesses, and far 
under shelving masses of corals, we inquiringly gaze, but an im- 
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