employed in the whale fishery-Amusing ceremonies formerly observed

among the whale fishers-Hard work in the Polar seas- Mode of

fishing-The harpoon-Struggles of the whale-Disappointment of a

Dutch whaler--Dead whales-Cutting up the whales-Settlements for

the whale fishery-Whale fishery in the Southern seas-New Zealanders

expert in capturing the whale-Productions of the whale fishery at the

International Exhibition of 1863. .
70-78

CHAPTER VII.

PERILS OF THE WHALE FISHERY.

Dangers attending the whale fishery-Incident to the "Essex" in the

Pacific Ocean-Ship destroyed by collision with a whale-A whale's

victory-Story of a Dutch harpooner-Anecdote of Scoresby-De-

struction of a whaling-boat-New Zealand Tom-Incident in the

Pacific to the whaling-vessel "Independence"-Paying out the rope-

Serious consequences of inattention-Incident to the whaling-vessel

"Aimwell”—Dangers of whaling vessels in the Arctic seas from ice-

Loss of the "Princess Charlotte”—Wonderful instance of preservation

of the whale-ship "Trafalgar"-Calamities of a whaling squadron-

Escape of Captain Scoresby-Operation of flensing.

CHAPTER VIII.

THE PIRATE OF THE OCEAN.

79-88

Fossil sharks-Enormous tooth-Means of acquiring a knowledge

of the size of an antediluvian shark-The white shark-Its extreme

voracity-Great tenacity of life-Habit of bounding out of the sea-

Slaves given to sharks-Punishing a shark-Mode of taking sharks in

the South Sea Islands-Captain Basil Hall's account of the capture of

a shark-Flesh eaten by the natives of Guinea-Worship of the shark

by some African tribes-Strange superstitions respecting the shark of

the South Sea islanders-Rapacity of the shark-Hooks for taking

sharks in the South Seas-The large blue shark-Fearful encounter

with sharks by the South Sea islanders-Fearful incident to the crew

of the "Magpie"-Hammer-headed shark-Smooth shark-Dog-fish

-Spinous shark-Angel-fish-Greenland shark-Barking shark—

Taken for the sea-serpent-Pilot-fish-Companion to the shark-Pet

sharks Sharks the scavengers of the ocean
89-105

SEA-HORSES, NARWAHLS, AND POLAR BEARS.

The morse, walrus, or sea-horse-Description — Immense slaughter

of them-For what purposes Ferocity when attacked - Affection of

the mother for its young- - Battles between the walrus and the Polar

bear-Sword-fish attacks the walrus - Sea-unicorn described - Herd

in flocks-Playfulness-Greenland bear-Its mode of attacking prey—

Appearance described
Fondness for its offspring - Anecdote of

Scoresby-Sagacity of a mother bear-Nelson's adventure with a Polar

bear-A bear in the tower
106-118

CHAPTER X.

MINUTE ANIMAL LIFE IN THE OCEAN.

Vastness of organic life in the ocean-Food to the larger marine

animals-Abundance in the Northern seas-Sea-nettles- Colour of the

ocean influenced by them-Application of the microscope-Scoresby's

calculation of the number of animalculæ Animals in a drop of water

-Ideas thus afforded of the immensity of creation-Sea-weeds, animated

worlds-Aquatic forests of the Southern Hemisphere-Minute creation

governed by the same laws as larger-Jelly-fish-Medusa-Abound in

the South Atlantic-Curious shapes-Stevens's description of the jelly-

fish- Annelides, or sea-worms- Sea-mouse-Its beautiful colours-

Curious arms of marine worms-Nereids-Their changing light-White

rag worm-Its pearly lustre-Sea-leech-Leaping worms- —“ Jumping

Johnnies "-Butterflies of the deep-Existence of animal life at great

depths-Temperature determines the abundance-Sea-soundings-

Throwing the lead-American sounding apparatus of Lieutenant Brook

-Description of the apparatus
119-131

-

CHAPTER XI.

THE ROCK-BUILDERS OF THE OCEAN.

Remarkable beauty of coral-Form and colour in the ocean-For-
merly supposed to be marine plants-Discovered to be the work of
minute animals-Placed by Linnæus at the head of the zoophytes-
Coral workers described-The polyp an extraordinary creature-Mode

in which the coral habitations are made-Coral examined under the

microscope-Islands and continents constructed by the polyps-Im-

mense extent of coral reefs-Surface of the globe changed by the opera-

tions of the coral workers
132-137

CHAPTER XII.

PERILS OF THE CORAL REEFS.

Coral reefs dangerous to navigation-Shipwreck of the "Cabalve" on

a coral reef

138-142

CHAPTER XIII.

INSTINCT OF THE ROCK-BUILDERS-CORAL FISHERIES.

Wonderful instinct of the coral workers in building-Highest part of

the coral walls on the windward side-Resistance to powerful waves—

Remarkable arrangements of some species-Common red coral-Where

obtained-Coral fisheries in the Mediterranean-Coral highly prized

in India—Black coral-Its scarcity-Fabrication of false coral-Coral

formerly supposed to possess singular properties-Ovid's account of the

origin of red coral-Coral beads worn as charms .

CHAPTER XIV.

PEARLS.

143-146

Pearls rare and beautiful objects of creation-Perilous employment
of the pearl-divers-Condemned criminals formerly employed-Ceylon
renowned for large pearls-Characteristics of the pearl-divers-Dread
of sharks-Shark-charmers-Confidence of the divers in their powers-
Pearl fishing in the Gulf of Manaar-Off the Bahrem Islands-Method
pursued by the Cingalese divers-Treatment of the pearl-oysters—
Pearl fishery in ancient times-Extent of the pearl fishery in Ceylon-
System pursued at the Pearl Islands-Oriental pearls-Their beautiful
colours and richness-Preparation of them for the market-Operation
of drilling a delicate one-How pearls are formed in the oyster-
Amusing account given by Pliny-Story of the king of the pearl-oysters
-Suppositions respecting pearls- Curious methods of the Chinese to
procure pearls-The pearl-oyster not the only mollusc which produces
pearls-Transparent oyster-shells used in China and elsewhere as a
substitute for glass-Pearls found on the British coasts-Motive of

Julius Cæsar for invading Britain-The ancients extravagantly fond of

pearls-Cleopatra swallowing a pearl dissolved-Powdered pearls used

as medicine-Pearls esteemed according to size-Names applied to

each kind-Largest pearl on record-Runjeet Sing and his string of

pearls
147-154

CHAPTER XV.

THE VEGETATION OF THE OCEAN.

A sea covered with weeds-An object of terror during the voyages

of Columbus-The Gulf-weed-A refuge for innumerable marine ani-

mals-Enormous expanse of the Atlantic Ocean covered with vegeta-

tion-Tropical grapes-Difference in the character of sea-weeds and

land-plants-Sea-weeds brought from a great depth-Submarine forests

-Meadows of lovely hues-Contrast between gigantic and minute

sea-weeds-The nereocystus--Tree sea-weed-Sea-weeds in the Arctic

seas-Floating by means of air-vessels-Great length of some species

-Sea-weed cables-Enormous thickness-Sea-weeds of smaller growth

-Water-flannel --Bladder-weed-Sea-silk-Whip-lash-Net-weed-

Feathery callithamnion-Fern-leaf- Fan-weed-Peacock's-tail - Its

glorious tints-Sea-thongs --Varieties of form and substance in sea-

weeds - Marine plants vie with land-flowers-Colours exceedingly

beautiful-Richness of ocean vegetation-influence of sea-weeds on

the currents-Sea-weeds as food-The Chinese great consumers-

Ceylon moss-Carrageen moss--Tangles-Dulse-Cattle fond of it-

Laver-Importance of sea-weeds as manure-The Channel Islands—

Numerous applications of sea-weeds- Kelp-Discovery of glass by

accidentally burning sea-weeds-Iodine from the ashes of sea-weeds--

Sea-weeds used for packing-Ulva marina-Gum obtained from sea-

weeds by the Chinese
155-163

CHAPTER XVI.

SPONGES.

Ancient use of the sponge, for helmets, &c.-One of the most valu-
able spoils taken from the ocean-Long undecided whether sponges
belong to the animal or vegetable kingdom-Ranked as "zoophytes,"
or animal-plants-Aristotle's definition of the sponge--Discoveries of
Mr. Ellis-Result of Dr. Grant's experiments on the sponge-Manner

in which, and where, sponges are obtained-Finest qualities come from
the Ottoman Archipelago-Sponge fishery at the island of Calymnos—
Depth at which sponges are found-Mode of proceeding by the sponge-
diver-The sponge in its natural state-Different from what we are
accustomed to see-Microscopic examination of the exterior skin of
the sponge-Framework of the sponge-Growth and increase of the
sponge
164-168

CHAPTER XVII.

SHELLS.

Wonderful shaping out and moulding of shells-Structure of shells
adapted to the requirements of their inhabitants-Apparatus of bivalves,
or two-shelled animals-The hinge-power over the valves-The ad-
ductor muscle-Conchology-Derivation of the term-Shells formerly
regarded as toys-Looked upon afterwards as treasures-A science of
the greatest importance-Especially to geologists-Shells of Southern
Europe-Tarento rich in shells-Greater portion of the shell animals
carnivorous-Shells of tropical America-Western coasts of Africa-
Harp-shell-The cockle-The cowry-A substitute for coin in the
East-Beautiful and rare shells found on the Australian coasts-Deep-
sea shells-Eagerly sought after by collectors-Grains of chalk micro-
scopic shells-Lowest parts of the earth consist of shell remains-Sea-
banks and coasts covered with broken shells-Abundance of the shell
Carinthium telescopium in Calcutta-Employed in road-making-
Shells possess a more or less distinct organic structure-Testacea-
Univalves - Bivalves-Multivalves-Helix or snail genus-Paletta or
limpet-Turbo-Clam or bear's-paw-Curious shells: the murex or
purple shell-Highly valued by the ancients for its dye-Volute or
mitre-shell-Strombus-Use and value of shells-Formation of shells
-Sea-shells perform an important part in the economy of Nature—
Sea-shells and sea-insects conservators of the ocean-Use of shells
multifarious-Mother-of-pearl shells used in the decoration of churches
and houses-Shell-trumpets or horns-Trumpet-shell-Employment
of shells for sacred uses in Ceylon—Shell-fish as an article of food-
Scallops-Worn in former times by pilgrims-Giant clams-Porcelain-
shells-Poached-eggs and weaver's-shuttle shells-Fusus or spindle-
shells-Roaring buckie-Wordsworth's lines on the voices of shells—
Wentletrap-shells-Trough-shells-Haliotes used for adorning papier-