ecessary for prolonged respiration, was all that could be
wished. It entered as it was required from the knapsack reservoir, and
escaped when used through a turret at the top of the circular helmet.

They proceeded along fine sand, covered with a variety of shells, for at
least a mile, when they came to some rocks covered with beautiful
anemones.

Innumerable fish sported around them; long, writhing eels, of a
prodigious size, with ugly, flat snake-like heads, glided away at their
approach, and thousands of jelly fish danced about their heads.

They were not at a great depth, and presumably were near some island,
for Mont, looking up, saw the sun overhead, guessing the depth to be
about thirty or forty feet.

The sun's rays easily penetrated the waves, and made a kaleidoscope of
colors inconceivably beautiful.

If the party could have spoken they would have given vent to their
admiration in no measured terms.

The least sound was transmitted easily, showing that the sea is a better
conductor of noise than land.

By degrees the depth increased, and they must have been a hundred yards
from the surface, as the pressure of the water increased.

Mont suffered no inconvenience except a slight tingling in the ears and
fingers.

He moved with ease, and was intensely delighted with the wonderful bed
of sea flowers which gave place to the fine sand they had been
traversing.

A dark mass extended itself before them; and Captain Vindex, extending
his hand, indicated the beginning of the forest.

It was composed of large seaweeds and plants, which extended in a
straight manner, having no drooping branches; all were erect and
motionless.

When displaced by the hand they resumed a perpendicular position.

They scarcely had any roots in the sand, and were evidently nourished by
the water and not by the earth.

Some were long and slender, others short and bushy, covered with
blossoms of various colors; others, again, reached a height equal to our
forest trees.

They had not proceeded far through this dense jungle of weeds, among
which it was difficult to pick a path, when the captain halted.

In front of him was a huge octopus, or devil fish, over three feet in
diameter, with long, terrible arms.

It endeavored to seize the professor, who, sinking on his knees,
shivered in silent terror!

CHAPTER XVIII.

MONT IS LOST.

It looked as if Professor Woddle's last moment had come.

In a moment more the dev