The Jeffersonian Democrat. [volume] (Chardon, Ohio) 1854-1865, 1861-04-19
The Ocean.

lhe ocean has, naturally, a pure blush
tint. All profound and clear seas are
more or less Of deep blue while, ac-
cording TO seamen, a green color indicates
soundings. The bright blue Of the Med.
iterranean, so often vaunted by poets, is
Iound 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, partially 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 groundsoil. But the hue is
much moie frequently changed, over
large spaces, by means OF enormous masses
OF minute alge, and countless hosts OF
small sea-worms, floating or swimming on
the surface. Near Callao, the Pacific
has an olive-green color. owing to green
ish matter found at depth OF eight hun
dred feet. Near Cape Palmas, on the
coast Of Guinea. Captain Tuckey's ship
seemed TO sail through mlk-a phencm.
enoI which was owing to an immense
number Of little white animals swimming
on the surface. The peculiar colorIng oI
the Red Sea, whence its name, is derived
from the presence Of microscopic alga,
SUI generis, less remarkable even for its
beautiful red color than for its proiigious
fecuudity. In many more instances, from
like causes, the deep blue is varied with
stripes Of white, yellow. green, brown.
orange or red. Small vellowish Medus@
are the principal agents in changing the
pure ultramarine Of the Arctic Ocean into a
muddy green. OF these, i is computed
cubic inch must contain Cd; a cubic
foot 1lO. 500. It is here that the gian,
whale Of the north finds his riches
pasture-grounds.
When the sea is perfectly transparent
it allows the eye to distinguish objects a
very great depth. Near Mindoro, il
the Indian Ocean, the spotted corals are
plainly visible under twenty five falhom;
Of water. The crystalline ciearness OF the
Caribbean excited the admiration o.
Columbus, whose eye was ever open fol
the beauties of nature. There, on the
sandy bottom, appear thousands Of sea.
stars, molluscas, and fishes of brilliancy
Of color unknown in our temperate seas
with groves OF sea plants, corals, sponges
ETC., which rival the most beautiful
garden on earth when a gentle breezt
passes through the waving boughs. The
submarine landscapes on the coast Of Sicily
are described with equal enthusiasm.
| The circulation OF the waters is main
tanned. partly by the winds, partly by tn,
attraction Of the sun and moon, and partly
by oceanic currents. What is wave
motion I? The transference OF motion with
out the transference Of the matter. The
most impetuous storm cannot suddenly
raise high waves they require time 70!
their development. Thus their strength
also loses itself only by degrees ant
many hours after the tornado has ceased
to rage, mighty pillows continue 10 remint
US Of its ex;inguished fury. The Turmoil
OF waters extends hundreds Of miles be-
yond the space where its bowling voic,
was heard; and often, during the mos
tranquil weather, the agita,ed sea pro
claims the distant war of elements.
The waves in the open sea never attaiI
the mountain height ascribed to them b,
exuberant fancy. Buta lighthouse, { Bel
Rock, though one hundred and twe.v
feet high, is buried in foam and spray Il
the very top, during ground-swells. Il
violent gales. the sea is said TO be dis
turbed TO depth Of three hundred O
even FIVE hundred feet while all is undis
turbed and still in the deep caves {