With regard to Authorities, I must acknowledge my indebtedness to the following books, among many others: _The Realm of Nature_, by Dr. H. R. Mill; _Report of the Scientific Results of the Voyage of H.M.S. Challenger--Deep Sea; Coral Reefs_, by Professor Dana; _Standard Natural History_, edited by J. S. Kingsley; _The Microscope_, by Carpenter, revised edition; _British Merchant Service_, by R. J. Cornwall-Jones; _Resources of the Sea_, by McIntosh; _Harvest of the Sea_, by J. G. Bertram; also numerous papers and articles in the _Geographical Magazine_, _National Geographical Magazine_, _Scottish Geographical Magazine_, _Proceedings of Royal Society of Edinburgh_, _Annual Report of Smithsonian Institution_, _Natural Science_, etc., etc., by such writers as Sir John Murray, Dr. H. R. Mill, Professor James Geikie, Albert Prince of Monaco, Admiral Sir W. H. L. Wharton, Mr. John Milne, Mr. A. Günther, Mr. John Aitkin, etc. In conclusion, I beg heartily to thank the Librarians of the Royal Geographical Society and the Zoological Society of London for the generous courtesy with which they have lent me books and supplied latest information, without which this little book could never have been written; also to express my warm gratitude for the invaluable help afforded by the criticisms and suggestions of the kind and able friends who have read my MS. and proofs. WORTON HOUSE, EASTBOURNE. CONTENTS CHAPTER PAGE I. “THE SEA! THE OPEN SEA!” 1 II. SALT WATER 10 III. EARTH’S VAST OCEAN 19 IV. SUBJECT TO LAW 27 V. IN OCEAN DEPTHS 37 VI. RIVERS IN THE SEA 50 VII. OF WIND AND WATER 61 VIII. AN OCEAN OF AZURE 70 IX. ICE-NEEDLES TO ICE-MOUNTAINS 79 X. RECEIVING--TO GIVE AGAIN 89 XI. A STORY OF CONFLICT 102 XII. ABOUT THE LONG PAST 110 XIII. OLD OCEAN AS A BUILDER 122 XIV. HOW CHALK IS MADE 135 XV. OF OCEAN-WEEDS 149 XVI. CORAL ARCHITECTS 163 XVII. OVER THE OCEAN-BED 176 XVIII. MULTITUDINOUS LIFE 185 XIX. OCEAN FLOWERS AND LAMPS 196 XX. ARMOURED MYRIADS AND MONSTERS 207