THE ANIMAL KINGDOM. 



63 



waves, well-nigh hindered the discovery of America. The 

 progress of the vessels of Columbus being seriously im- 

 peded at this spot, the crews alarmed, and dreading 



29. Sargassum or Swimming Fucus — Fuciis hacciferus. 



that they would never be able to extricate themselves, 

 mutinied, imperiously demanding to return to their 

 country. 



There is one very remarkable phenomenon connected 

 with this bank of floating sea -weed, which is, perhaps, 

 five or six times as large as France, and that is its con- 

 stant stay in one given spot during so many centuries^ in 



