Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1861-02-28
The Ocean.

LUG OCVhh mas, naturally, pure uIulaH liH''
All profound and clear seas are more or less Of
a deep blue while according to seamen, a
gre-n color indicates soundings The bright
blue Of the Mediterranean, so often vaunted by
poets, is found all over the deep pure ocean, not
only in the tropical and temperate zones, but
also in the regions of eternal frost The North
Sea is green, partly from the reflection Of its
sandy bottom mixing with the essentially blue
tint Of the water. In the Bay of Loango the
sea has the color Of blood, which results from
the reflection of the red ground soil But the
hue is much more frequently changed, over
large spaces, by means OF enormous masses Of
minute alg@ and countless hosts Of small sea-
worms, floating or swimming on the surface
Near Callao, the Pacific has an olive green col.
or, owing to greenlsh matter found at a depth
Of 800 feet. Near Cape Palmis, on the coast
Of Guinea, Capt. Tuckey's ship seemed to sail
through milk--a phenomenon which was owing
to an immense number OF lltlc white animals
swimming on the surface. The peculiar color
ing Of the Red Sea, whence its name, ls derived
from the presence OF microscopic alg@, su
geHeriS less remarkable even for It's beautiful
red color than for is prodigious lecundity. In
many more instances, from like causes the deep
blue is varied with stripes Of white, yellow,
green, brown, orange, or red. Small yelowish
Mcdus@ are the principal agents in changing
the pure ultramarine Of the Arctic Ocean inloa
muddy green OF these, it is computed cubic
inch must contain Ga a cubic foot, Ito 500.
1t is here that the giant whale Of the north finds
his richest pasture grounds.
When the sea is perfectly transparent, it al
lows the eye to distinguish objects at a very
great deph. Near Miudaro, in the Indian DC.
can, the spotted coras are plainly visible under
twenty-five fathoms Of water. The crysta line
cearness of the Caribbean excited the admira-
ton Of Columbus, whose eye was ever open for
beauties OF nature There, on the sandy bot
BON, appear thousands OF sea stars, moIluscs
and fishes Of a brilliancy Of color unknown in
our temperate seas with groves Of sea plants,
corals, sponees, sc which rival the most
beautiful garden on earth when gentle breeze
passes through the waving boughs The sub
marine landscapes on the coast Of Sicily are de-
scnbed with equal eLthusia.m.
The circulation Of the waters is maintained.
partly by the winds, partly by the attraction of
the sun and moon, and partly by oceanic cur
rents. What is waye-motion? The transfer
.eucc Of motion without ne transfsrence of tho
matter. The mos, impetuous storm cannot
suddenly raise high waves; they require time
for their development. Thus their strength al
50 loses itself only by deg rees and many hours
after the tornado has ceased to rnge, mighty
pillows continue to remind US of its e4tugush.
ed fury The turmoil Of waters extends hun.
dreds OF miles beyond the space where It's how
ling voice was heard and often, during the
most tranquil weather, the agitated sea pro.
claims the distant war of elements
The waves in the open sea never attain the
mountain height ascril ed to them by exubcmut
fancy. Bnta light house, (Boll Rock,) though
one hundred and twelve feet high, is buried IN
foam and spray to the very top during ground
swel.s 10 violent gales. tie sea is said to
be disturbed to depth oil three hundred or even
five hundred feet; while all is undisturbel anil
still in the deep caves Of ocean.