400 



SHELLS. 



[Chap. XI. 



nearly a foot across, may be seen in the Gulf of Manaar, 

 where, no doubt, others of still larger growth are to be 

 found. 



Occasionally after storms, the beach at Colombo is 

 strewn with the thin transparent globes of the " Portu- 

 guese Man of War," Physalus urticulus, which are piled 

 upon the lines left by the waves, like globules of glass 

 delicately tinted with purple and blue. They sting, as 

 their trivial name indicates, like a nettle when in- 

 cautiously touched. 



Red infusoria. — On both sides of the island (but 

 most frequently on the west), during the south-west 

 monsoon, a broad expanse of the sea assumes a red 

 tinge, considerably brighter than brick-dust; and this 

 is confined to a space so distinct that a line seems to 

 separate it from the green water which flows on either 

 side. Observing at Colombo that the whole area so 

 tinged changed its position without parting with any 

 portion of its colouring, I had some of the water brought 

 on shore, and, on examination with the microscope, 

 found it to be filled with infusoria, probably similar to 

 those which have been noticed near the shores of South 

 America, and whose abundance has imparted a name to 

 the " Vermilion Sea" off the coast of California, 1 



The remaining orders, including the corals, madre- 



1 The late Dr. Buist, of Bom- giving us the seas of milk as well 



bay, in commenting on this state- as those of blood. The coloured 



ment, writes to the Athenceum that : water at times is to be seen all 



"The red colour with which the along the coast north to Kurrachee, 



sea is tinged, round the shores of and far out, and of a much more in- 



Ceylon, during a part of the S.W. tense tint in the Arabian Sea. 



monsoon is due to the Proto-coccus The frequency of its appearance in 



nivalis, or the Himatta-coccus, the Eed Sea has conferred on it its 



which presents different colours at name." 

 different periods of the year — 



