110 



TRAVELS IN BRAZIL. 



swarms of flying-fish rise sporting over the surface 

 of the water, and the many-coloured natives of the 

 ocean, among which is the shark, with his two 

 inseparable companions (Gasterosteus Ductor and 

 JEcheneis Remora), come up from the bottom of the 

 element, which is transparent to the depth of a 

 hundred fathoms. Singularly formed Medusae, 

 the bladder-shaped Physalis with its blue pungent 

 filaments, serpent-like streaks of Salpae joined 

 together, float carelessly along ; and many other 

 little marine animals, of the most various kinds, 

 pass slowly, the sport of the waves, by the motion- 

 less vessel.* As the sun gradually sinks in the 

 clouded horizon, the sea and sky assume anew dress, 

 which is beyond description sublime and magni- 

 ficent. The most brilliant red, yellow, violet, in 

 infinite shades and contrast, are poured out in 

 profusion over the azure of the firmament, and are 

 reflected, in still gayer variety, from the surface of 

 the water. The day departs amidst continued light- 

 ning in the dusky horizon, while the moon, in 

 silent majesty rises from the unbounded ocean into 

 the cloudless upper regions. Variable winds cool 

 the atmosphere ; numerous falling stars, coming 

 particularly from the south, shed a magic light ; 

 the dark blue firmament, reflected with the con- 

 stellations on the untroubled bosom of the water, 

 represents the image of the whole starry hemi- 

 sphere ; and the ocean, agitated even by the faintest 



* See Note 3. page 129. 



