Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1856-10-17
THE BOTTOM OF THE SEA.

@A~-~ 49, - - - - ~ - %A@@ $1,000
Besides the countless varieties of the
focus, the bottom Of the sea is overgrown
with the curled, deep purple leaves of the
sea lettuce, with large porous hchens,
aud many branched, hollow algae, full Of
life and motion in their rosy bladders,
thickly set with ever moving tiny arms.
These plants from submarine forests,
growing one into another, in apparently
lawless order: here interlaciug their
branches, there forming bowers and long
avenues at one time thriving abundmtly,
till the thieket seems impenetrable; then
again leaving large openings between
void and void, where smaller plants
form a beautiful pink turf. There
thousand hues and tinges shine and gilt
ter in each changing light. In the in
diligence of their Injuries growth, the
fuel especially seem TO crafty every
whim and freak. Creeping close to the
ground, or sending long stretched arms,
crowned with waving plumes, up TO the
lesser light to heaven, they form pale sea
groves, where there is neither moon or
star; or risen up nearer TO the surface, TO
be transendently rich and gorgeous in
brightest green, gold and purple. And,
through this dream-like scenelplaying in
all eolors of the rainbow, and deep under
the hollow, briny ocean, they sail and
chase each other merrily, gaily painted
mollusces, and bright shining fishes
Snails of every shape creep slowly along
the streams, while huge, gray-haired
seals hang with their enormous tusks on
large tall trees. There is the gigantic
Dugong, the siren of the ancients, the
side long shark with his laden eyes, the
Ithick-haired sea leopard, and the sluggish
turtle.
Look how these strange, ill-shapen
forms, which ever keep their dreamless
sleep far down in the gloomy deep, stir
themselves from time to time See how
they drive each other from their rich pas
lures, how they seem TO awaken in
storms, rising like islands from beneath,
and snorting through the angry spray
Perhaps they Craze peacefully in the un-
broken cool of the oceans deep bed, when
10! hungry shark comes slyly, silently
around that grove; its CLASSY eyes shine
ghost-like with yellow sheen, and seek
there prey. The sea-dog first becomes
aware of his dreaded enemy, and seeks
refuge in the thickest reeesses Of the fu-
Gus forest. In an instant the whole scene
changes. The oyster closes It's she'll with
a clap, and throws itself into the deep
below the turtle conceals head and feet
under her impenetrable armour, and
sinks slowly downward the playful little
fish disappear in the branches Of the
rnarocystis +; Holsters hide under the thick
eIumsily-shapen roots, and the young
walrus alone turns boldly round, and
faces the intruder with his sharp-pointed
teeth. The shark seeks to gain his un.
protected side. The battle commences
both seek the forest their fms becom,
entangled in the closely inierwover
branches; at last the more agile sliarl
succeeds in wounding his adversary
! side. Desparing Of life, the bleeding
; walrus tries to conceal his last agony il
! the woods, but, blinded by pain an'
blood, he fastens himself among thi
branches, and soon falls an easy prey t
; the shark, who greedily deyours him.