A CYMMERIAN ABYSM

Otago Witness, Issue 2905, 17 November 1909, Page 84

A CYMMERIAN ABYSM

Bt a Banker. The extreme depths of the great ocean, in places more than five mile 3 deep, are immersed tin eternal darkness. But these cimn>srism chambers of the- deep are, notwith.-cr-eTaTures, fra.m the minute and lovely foraminitera to the mighty blear-e ed monsters, hideous slimy eerpentin-e things creeping about and grappling and devouring each other, or the misshapen and repulsive giant octopus, ita tentacles 30ft long, and a body as large as a email elephant, sad with cruel, cu,nning eyes a foot in diameter. It ds now, however, known that many of these dwellers in perpetual darkness, perhaps all, are .provided by Nature with powerful phosphorescent illuminating powers, enabling them to ccc and track their prey with facility. But not the denizens of these dismal and sombre eubm&iine deserts a-lone are endowed with, ilhiiuinating faculties. The pretty firefly flitting amidst the myrtle sprays, the humble glowworm wi-fh. its' glittering amorous light, or the common rockhoring pholas, which possesses the property to such a degree that it is said that if it be eaten the -month "glows with phosphorescent light for some time, are a few examples among many others. But unquestionably the most lovely display of this luminosity is that prcdueed by a email organism known as Noctiluca miliaris, more or teas common in temperai© waters. Two or three decades ago an imposing pageant was witnessed in the North S«a, caused by countless myriads of theE« naiivute creatures. Soon after tho steamer had started f rotn port, the sea in places appeared as though the moon, although not visible, were shinin» brilliantly upon the waters, lighting up the j rippling wavelets in a lustrous, shsreinerin^ ; glow. Rapidly the illuminated area ir- | creaees and now 'the vessel is in the midet ot it, the ocean appearing as a sea of molten silver. Standing at the etern •of the vessel the agitated wa-ter is a surging whirlpool of gyrating wildfire all aarlow a n a dazzlir." lustrous beauty; while the water thrown off from tae bows is a scintillating caf=ca<le of liquid fire flashing in vivid, splendent lustre • every drop, e\ery wisp of spray sparkling and gleaming as though a shower of luminous pearls or opals were hurtling through the AIT. ° And »o it goes on for perhaps ialf an hour or more, a scene of radiant fascination, almost sublime in its wondrous radiance and beauty, until at length it has all died away, and the vessel ploughs her way through the darkness. Truly Nature is all lovely. Whether it be the flower-bedecked parterre, or the ravines and glaciers of a range of snowclad mountains, or the jrlcna an< j ,ja!es and sylvan soenes of the conntyside, or the fascinating attractions of the seashore, all is beautiful. No wonder the angels sang with joy at the creation of it all. And yet far more resplendent and far more attractive and glorious is that realm which tno» will enherit who Berfb and obey tha i Lord of glory, who on the cross expiated the transgressions of all who receive Him as their Bedeemer, and who wdth His nevexi refused aid live a godly and righteous life. f Bui what must be the remorse of those who find that they' are shut mit from it all? i =====- — Mrs Josh: "I know these rooms are very small, George, but we can get along — at least for a time. There is no use in complaining. Can't you sea the funny side of it, and make a joke?" Mr Josh: "I don't ccc where I could put it if I did."