isturbed the waters of an ocean covering the
whole surface of the earth. For the sea-waves which reached Yokohama
in one direction and Port Fairy in another had each traversed a
distance nearly equal to half the earth's circumference; so that if
the surface of the earth were all sea, waves setting out in opposite
directions from the centre of disturbance would have met each other at
the antipodes of their starting-point.

It is impossible to contemplate the effects which followed the great
earthquake--the passage of a sea-wave of enormous volume over fully
one third of the earth's surface, and the force with which, on the
farthermost limits of its range, the wave rolled in upon shores more
than ten thousand miles from its starting-place--without feeling that
those geologists are right who deny that the subterranean forces of
the earth are diminishing in intensity. It may be difficult, perhaps,
to look on the effects which are ascribed to ancient earth-throes
without imagining for a while that the power of modern earthquakes is
altogether less. But when we consider fairly the share which time had
in those ancient processes of change, when we see that while mountain
ranges were being upheaved or valleys depressed to their present
position, race after race, and type after type appeared on the earth,
and lived out the long lives which belong to races and to types, we
are recalled to the remembrance of the great work which the earth's
subterranean forces are still engaged upon. Even now continents are
being slowly depressed or upheaved; even now mountain ranges are being
raised to a new level, tablelands are in process of formation, and
great valleys are being gradually scooped out. It may need an
occasional outburst, such as the earthquake of August, 1868, to remind
us that great forces are at work beneath the earth's surface. But, in
reality, the signs of change have long been noted. Old shore-lines
shift their place, old soundings vary; the sea advances in one place
and retires in another; on every side Nature's plastic hand is at work
modelling and remodelling the earth, in order that it may always be a
fit abode for those who are to dwell upon it.

[Illustration]

THE PHOSPHORESCENT SEA

(FROM STUDIES OF ANIMATED NATURE.)

BY W.S. DALLAS.

[Illustration]

It is not merely on land that this phenomenon of phosphorescence is to
be seen in living forms. Among marine animals, indeed, it is a
phenomenon much