i8 
DISCOLOURED SEA 
CHAP. I 
There are two circumstances in the above accounts which 
appear remarkable : first, how do the various bodies which form 
the bands with defined edges keep together ? In the case of 
the prawn-like crabs, their movements were as coinstantaneous 
as in a regiment of soldiers ; but this cannot happen from any¬ 
thing like voluntary action with the ovules, or the confervae, 
nor is it probable among the infusoria. Secondly, what causes 
the length and narrowness of the bands ? The appearance so 
much resembles that which may be seen in every torrent, where 
the stream uncoils into long streaks the froth collected in the 
eddies, that I must attribute the effect to a similar action either 
of the currents of the air or sea. Under this supposition we 
must believe that the various organised bodies are produced in 
certain favourable places, and are thence removed by the set of 
either wind or water. I confess, however, there is a very great 
difficulty in imagining any one spot to be the birthplace of the 
millions of millions of animalcula and confervae : for whence come 
the germs at such points ?—the parent bodies having been distri¬ 
buted by the winds and waves over the immense ocean. But 
on no other hypothesis can I understand their linear grouping. 
I may add that Scoresby remarks that green water abounding 
with pelagic animals is invariably found in a certain part of the 
Arctic Sea. 
CATAMARAN (BAHIA). 
