active in tropical zones, and constitutes a regular change between the tropical and polar waters. Further, I have detected currents from beneath the sea to the surface, and vice versa, which constitute the true breathings of the ocean. I have seen the molecule of sea-water warmed at the surface, redescend towards the depths, attain its maximum of density at 2° below zero, and then freezing once more become lighter, and mount upwards again. At the poles, you will perceive the consequences of this phenomenon, and you can understand why, by this law of all-provident nature, congelation can only be produced at the surface of water.”
While Captain Nemo was speaking, I was thinking.
“The pole! is it possible that he intends to visit such latitudes!”
The captain was again silently regarding the element he had so completely studied, and yet was incessantly studying. He resumed.
“Salts,” he said, “are in the sea in large quantities, and if you could take all that it holds in solution, you would form a mass of 4,500,000 cubic leagues, which, spread out upon the globe, would reach to a height of more than ten yards. Do not imagine, either, that the presence of these salts is only due to nature’s caprice. Not at all. They make the water less liable to evaporate, and prevent the winds from raising too much vapour, which, in again resolving, would drown the temperate zones. There is a great part played by the sea, it possesses great weight in the interior economy of the globe!”
Captain Nemo stopped speaking, took a few
