TIIE OPEN SEA 
117 
by the crest being thrown up in the air with 
the upward push of the wave. The wedge- 
shaped cap thus dashed upward or forward 
breaks into spray, is filled with countless air- 
bubbles, and shows bluish- or greenish-white 
to the eye. In heavy winds this ‘‘ white-cap ” 
is apparent in every direction, but it does 
not break so regularly or so smoothly as in a 
common gale. 
Storm waves are usually marked by flawed 
and broken surfaces and their crests are ragged 
and torn, often being wrenched away by gusts 
of wind and driven across the ocean in the form 
of flying spray. But despite its irregularity of 
surface, one is never deceived about the bulk and 
weight of a storm wave. Its rise and heave are 
indicative of its power. The lift of the wave 
seems one long, straining effort at pushing up 
the gable-shaped crest. It heaves and heaves 
until at last, having pushed the top to an un- 
sustainable height, it suddenly lets go as though 
exhausted and the crest pitches forward in foam. 
In long-continued storms these same waves are 
beaten into white, bubbling, froth-hung surfaces, 
foam is festooned in wreaths from every crest, 
and water dust rolls into every hollow; the air 
isfull of flying spray, the clouds are obliterated, 
White-caps. 
Storm 
waves, * 
