An Underwater Forest

We had at last arrived on the borders of this forest, doubtless one of the finest of Captain Nemo’s immense domains. He looked upon it as his own, and considered he had the same right over it that the first men had in the first days of the world. And, indeed, who would have disputed with him the possession of this submarine property? What other hardier pioneer would come, hatchet in hand, to cut down the dark copses?

At last, we reached the edge of the forest, surely one of the finest parts of Captain Nemo’s vast domain. He saw it as his own. He believed he had the same right to it that the first people had in the world’s earliest days. And who, indeed, would dispute his ownership of this underwater property? What other, hardier pioneer would come, hatchet in hand, to cut down its dark thickets?

This forest was composed of large tree-plants; and the moment we penetrated under its vast arcades, I was struck by the singular position of their branches—a position I had not yet observed.

The forest was made up of large tree-like plants. As soon as we entered beneath its vast arches, I noticed something unusual. Their branches were positioned in a way I had never seen before.

Not a herb which carpeted the ground, not a branch which clothed the trees, was either broken or bent, nor did they extend horizontally; all stretched up to the surface of the ocean. Not a filament, not a ribbon, however thin they might be, but kept as straight as a rod of iron. The fuci and llianas grew in rigid perpendicular lines, due to the density of the element which had produced them. Motionless, yet when bent to one side by the hand, they directly resumed their former position. Truly it was the region of perpendicularity!

Not a single plant carpeting the ground or branch covering the trees was broken or bent. None stretched out horizontally. All reached up toward the ocean’s surface. Every filament and ribbon, however thin, remained as straight as an iron rod. The seaweed and vines grew in rigid vertical lines because of the density of the water that produced them. They stood motionless, yet when a hand bent them aside, they immediately returned to their former positions. This truly was the realm of the vertical!

I soon accustomed myself to this fantastic position, as well as to the comparative darkness which surrounded us. The soil of the forest seemed covered with sharp blocks, difficult to avoid. The submarine flora struck me as being very perfect, and richer even than it would have been in the arctic or tropical zones, where these productions are not so plentiful. But for some minutes I involuntarily confounded the genera, taking zoophytes for hydrophytes, animals for plants; and who would not have been mistaken? The fauna and the flora are too closely allied in this submarine world.

I soon grew used to this fantastic situation and to the relative darkness around us. The forest floor seemed covered with sharp blocks that were hard to avoid. The underwater plant life struck me as remarkably well developed. It was even richer than in the Arctic or tropical zones, where such growth is less abundant. But for several minutes I unwittingly confused the different kinds, mistaking animal-like organisms for water plants, animals for plants. And who would not have made the same mistake? In this underwater world, animal and plant life are too closely related.

These plants are self-propagated, and the principle of their existence is in the water, which upholds and nourishes them. The greater number, instead of leaves, shot forth blades of capricious shapes, comprised within a scale of colours,—pink, carmine, green, olive, fawn, and brown. I saw there (but not dried up, as our specimens of the Nautilus are) pavonari spread like a fan, as if to catch the breeze; scarlet ceramies, whose laminaries extended their edible shoots of fern-shaped nereocysti, which grow to a height of fifteen feet; clusters of acetabuli, whose stems increase in size upwards; and numbers of other marine plants, all devoid of flowers!

These plants reproduce on their own. Water sustains and nourishes them, and their existence depends on it. Most have blades in odd shapes instead of leaves. Their colors range from pink, carmine, green, and olive to fawn and brown. I saw pavonari spread like fans, as if to catch the breeze. Unlike our specimens on the Nautilus, these were not dried out. I also saw scarlet ceramies, whose laminaries spread their edible shoots of fern-shaped nereocysti, which grow fifteen feet tall. There were clusters of acetabuli, whose stems grow thicker toward the top, and many other marine plants, all without flowers!

“Curious anomaly, fantastic element!” said an ingenious naturalist, “in which the animal kingdom blossoms, and the vegetable does not!”

“What a strange anomaly, what an amazing element!” said a clever naturalist. “The animal kingdom flourishes in it, but the plant kingdom does not!”

Under these numerous shrubs (as large as trees of the temperate zone), and under their damp shadow, were massed together real bushes of living flowers, hedges of zoophytes, on which blossomed some zebrameandrines, with crooked grooves, some yellow caryophylliæ; and, to complete the allusion, the fish-flies flew from branch to branch like a swarm of humming-birds, whilst yellow lepisacomthi, with bristling jaws, dactylopteri, and monocentrides rose at our feet like a flight of snipes.

These many shrubs were as large as trees in temperate regions. Beneath their damp shade were clusters of living flowers and hedges of zoophytes. Some zebrameandrines with crooked grooves and some yellow caryophylliæ bloomed on the hedges. To complete the picture, fish-flies flew from branch to branch like a swarm of hummingbirds. Meanwhile, yellow lepisacomthi with bristling jaws, dactylopteri, and monocentrides rose at our feet like a flight of snipes.

In about an hour Captain Nemo gave the signal to halt. I, for my part, was not sorry, and we stretched ourselves under an arbour of alariæ, the long thin blades of which stood up like arrows.

About an hour later, Captain Nemo gave the signal to stop. I was glad to stop, and we stretched out under a shelter of alariæ. Their long, thin blades stood up like arrows.

This short rest seemed delicious to me; there was nothing wanting but the charm of conversation; but, impossible to speak, impossible to answer, I only put my great copper head to Conseil’s. I saw the worthy fellow’s eyes glistening with delight, and to show his satisfaction, he shook himself in his breastplate of air in the most comical way in the world.

This short rest was delightful. The only thing missing was the pleasure of conversation. But I could neither speak nor answer, so I simply put my large copper head against Conseil’s. I saw his eyes glistening with delight. To show his satisfaction, the good fellow shook himself inside his breastplate of air in the most comical way imaginable.

After four hours of this walking I was surprised not to find myself dreadfully hungry. How to account for this state of the stomach I could not tell. But instead I felt an insurmountable desire to sleep, which happens to all divers. And my eyes soon closed behind the thick glasses, and I fell into a heavy slumber, which the movement alone had prevented before. Captain Nemo and his robust companion, stretched in the clear crystal, set us the example.

After four hours of walking, I was surprised that I was not terribly hungry. I could not explain why. Instead, I felt an overwhelming desire to sleep, as all divers do. My eyes soon closed behind the thick glasses, and I fell into a deep sleep. Only the movement had kept me awake before. Captain Nemo and his strong companion had set the example, lying stretched out in the clear water.

How long I remained buried in this drowsiness I cannot judge; but, when I woke, the sun seemed sinking towards the horizon. Captain Nemo had already risen, and I was beginning to stretch my limbs, when an unexpected apparition brought me briskly to my feet.

I cannot say how long I remained drowsy. But when I woke, the sun seemed to be sinking toward the horizon. Captain Nemo had already gotten up. I was beginning to stretch my limbs when an unexpected sight quickly brought me to my feet.

A few steps off, a monstrous sea-spider, about thirty-eight inches high, was watching me with squinting eyes, ready to spring upon me. Though my diver’s dress was thick enough to defend me from the bite of this animal, I could not help shuddering with horror. Conseil and the sailor of the Nautilus awoke at this moment. Captain Nemo pointed out the hideous crustacean, which a blow from the butt end of the gun knocked over, and I saw the horrible claws of the monster writhe in terrible convulsions. This accident reminded me that other animals more to be feared might haunt these obscure depths, against whose attacks my diving-dress would not protect me. I had never thought of it before, but I now resolved to be upon my guard. Indeed, I thought that this halt would mark the termination of our walk; but I was mistaken, for, instead of returning to the Nautilus, Captain Nemo continued his bold excursion. The ground was still on the incline, its declivity seemed to be getting greater, and to be leading us to greater depths. It must have been about three o’clock when we reached a narrow valley, between high perpendicular walls, situated about seventy-five fathoms deep. Thanks to the perfection of our apparatus, we were forty-five fathoms below the limit which nature seems to have imposed on man as to his submarine excursions.

A few steps away, a monstrous sea spider stood about thirty-eight inches high. It watched me with squinting eyes, ready to spring at me. My diving suit was thick enough to protect me from its bite, but I could not help shuddering with horror. At that moment, Conseil and the sailor from the Nautilus woke up. Captain Nemo pointed out the hideous crustacean, and a blow from the butt of his gun knocked it over. I saw the monster’s horrible claws twist in violent convulsions. This encounter reminded me that even more dangerous animals might lurk in these dark depths. My diving suit would not protect me from their attacks. I had never thought of that before, but now I resolved to be on my guard. I thought this stop would mark the end of our walk, but I was mistaken. Instead of returning to the Nautilus, Captain Nemo continued his daring journey. The ground still sloped downward, and the slope seemed to be growing steeper, leading us into deeper water. It must have been about three o’clock when we reached a narrow valley between high, sheer walls. The valley lay about seventy-five fathoms deep. Thanks to our excellent equipment, we were forty-five fathoms below the limit nature seems to have set for human journeys underwater.

I say seventy-five fathoms, though I had no instrument by which to judge the distance. But I knew that even in the clearest waters the solar rays could not penetrate further. And accordingly the darkness deepened. At ten paces not an object was visible. I was groping my way, when I suddenly saw a brilliant white light. Captain Nemo had just put his electric apparatus into use; his companion did the same, and Conseil and I followed their example. By turning a screw I established a communication between the wire and the spiral glass, and the sea, lit by our four lanterns, was illuminated for a circle of thirty-six yards.

I say seventy-five fathoms, though I had no instrument to measure the distance. But I knew that even in the clearest water, the sun’s rays could not reach any farther. So the darkness grew deeper. Nothing was visible ten paces away. I was feeling my way forward when I suddenly saw a brilliant white light. Captain Nemo had just switched on his electric apparatus. His companion did the same, and Conseil and I followed their example. By turning a screw, I connected the wire to the spiral glass. Our four lanterns lit up the sea in a circle thirty-six yards across.

Captain Nemo was still plunging into the dark depths of the forest, whose trees were getting scarcer at every step. I noticed that vegetable life disappeared sooner than animal life. The medusæ had already abandoned the arid soil, from which a great number of animals, zoophytes, articulata, molluscs, and fishes, still obtained sustenance.

Captain Nemo continued deeper into the dark forest, where the trees grew scarcer with every step. I noticed that plant life disappeared before animal life. The jellyfish had already abandoned the barren ground. But many animals still found food there, including zoophytes, arthropods, mollusks, and fish.

As we walked, I thought the light of our Ruhmkorff apparatus could not fail to draw some inhabitant from its dark couch. But if they did approach us, they at least kept at a respectful distance from the hunters. Several times I saw Captain Nemo stop, put his gun to his shoulder, and after some moments drop it and walk on. At last, after about four hours, this marvellous excursion came to an end. A wall of superb rocks, in an imposing mass, rose before us, a heap of gigantic blocks, an enormous, steep granite shore, forming dark grottos, but which presented no practicable slope; it was the prop of the Island of Crespo. It was the earth! Captain Nemo stopped suddenly. A gesture of his brought us all to a halt, and, however desirous I might be to scale the wall, I was obliged to stop. Here ended Captain Nemo’s domains. And he would not go beyond them. Further on was a portion of the globe he might not trample upon.

As we walked, I thought the light from our Ruhmkorff apparatus was sure to draw some creature from its dark resting place. But if any did approach us, they kept a respectful distance from the hunters. Several times, I saw Captain Nemo stop and raise his gun to his shoulder. After a few moments, he would lower it and walk on. At last, after about four hours, this marvelous excursion came to an end. A magnificent wall of rock rose before us. It was an imposing mass of enormous blocks, a steep granite shore with dark caves but no climbable slope. It was the foundation of the Island of Crespo. It was land! Captain Nemo stopped suddenly and motioned for us all to stop. Much as I wanted to climb the wall, I had to stop. Captain Nemo’s domain ended here, and he would not go beyond it. Beyond it lay a part of the globe he could not set foot on.

The return began. Captain Nemo had returned to the head of his little band, directing their course without hesitation. I thought we were not following the same road to return to the Nautilus. The new road was very steep, and consequently very painful. We approached the surface of the sea rapidly. But this return to the upper strata was not so sudden as to cause relief from the pressure too rapidly, which might have produced serious disorder in our organisation, and brought on internal lesions, so fatal to divers. Very soon light reappeared and grew, and the sun being low on the horizon, the refraction edged the different objects with a spectral ring. At ten yards and a half deep, we walked amidst a shoal of little fishes of all kinds, more numerous than the birds of the air, and also more agile; but no aquatic game worthy of a shot had as yet met our gaze, when at that moment I saw the Captain shoulder his gun quickly, and follow a moving object into the shrubs. He fired;—I heard a slight hissing, and a creature fell stunned at some distance from us. It was a magnificent sea-otter, an enhydrus, the only exclusively marine quadruped. This otter was five feet long, and must have been very valuable. Its skin, chestnut-brown above and silvery underneath, would have made one of those beautiful furs so sought after in the Russian and Chinese markets; the fineness and the lustre of its coat would certainly fetch £80. I admired this curious mammal, with its rounded head ornamented with short ears, its round eyes, and white whiskers like those of a cat, with webbed feet and nails, and tufted tail. This precious animal, hunted and tracked by fishermen, has now become very rare, and taken refuge chiefly in the northern parts of the Pacific, or probably its race would soon become extinct.

We began the return journey. Captain Nemo took his place at the head of his small group and led us without hesitation. I thought we were taking a different route back to the Nautilus. The new route was very steep and therefore very difficult. We approached the surface rapidly. But we did not ascend so quickly that the pressure dropped too fast. That could have seriously disrupted our bodies and caused the internal injuries that are so deadly to divers. Soon light appeared again and grew stronger. The sun was low on the horizon, and its refracted light edged objects with rainbow-colored rings. At a depth of ten and a half yards, we walked among a shoal of small fish of every kind. They were more numerous than the birds in the air and more agile too. But we had not yet seen any aquatic game worth shooting. Then I saw the Captain quickly raise his gun and follow a moving object into the shrubs. He fired. I heard a slight hiss, and a creature fell stunned some distance away. It was a magnificent sea otter, an enhydrus, the only four-legged animal that lives exclusively in the sea. This otter was five feet long and must have been very valuable. Its skin was chestnut brown above and silvery underneath. It would have made one of those beautiful furs so sought after in the Russian and Chinese markets. Its fine, glossy coat would certainly fetch £80. I admired this curious mammal. It had a rounded head with short ears, round eyes, and white whiskers like a cat's. Its feet were webbed and had nails, and its tail was tufted. Fishermen have hunted and tracked this precious animal until it has become very rare. It has taken refuge mainly in the northern Pacific, or its species would probably soon become extinct.

Captain Nemo’s companion took the beast, threw it over his shoulder, and we continued our journey. For one hour a plain of sand lay stretched before us. Sometimes it rose to within two yards and some inches of the surface of the water. I then saw our image clearly reflected, drawn inversely, and above us appeared an identical group reflecting our movements and our actions; in a word, like us in every point, except that they walked with their heads downward and their feet in the air.

Captain Nemo’s companion picked up the animal and threw it over his shoulder. Then we continued our journey. For an hour, a sandy plain stretched before us. In places, it rose to within a little over two yards of the water’s surface. I could then see our reflections clearly, upside down above us. An identical group mirrored our movements and actions. They were just like us in every way, except they walked with their heads down and their feet in the air.

Another effect I noticed, which was the passage of thick clouds which formed and vanished rapidly; but on reflection I understood that these seeming clouds were due to the varying thickness of the reeds at the bottom, and I could even see the fleecy foam which their broken tops multiplied on the water, and the shadows of large birds passing above our heads, whose rapid flight I could discern on the surface of the sea.

I noticed another effect: thick clouds seemed to pass by, forming and vanishing rapidly. But when I thought about it, I realized they were caused by the varying thickness of the reeds below. I could even see the fleecy foam that their broken tops created on the water. I could also see the shadows of large birds passing overhead, and make out their swift flight on the sea’s surface.

On this occasion, I was witness to one of the finest gun-shots which ever made the nerves of a hunter thrill. A large bird of great breadth of wing, clearly visible, approached, hovering over us. Captain Nemo’s companion shouldered his gun and fired, when it was only a few yards above the waves. The creature fell stunned, and the force of its fall brought it within the reach of the dexterous hunter’s grasp. It was an albatross of the finest kind.

On this occasion, I witnessed one of the finest shots ever to thrill a hunter. A large bird with a wide wingspan came into clear view, hovering above us. When it was only a few yards above the waves, Captain Nemo’s companion raised his gun and fired. The bird fell, stunned, and the force of its fall brought it within the skillful hunter’s reach. It was an albatross of the finest kind.

Our march had not been interrupted by this incident. For two hours we followed these sandy plains, then fields of algæ very disagreeable to cross. Candidly, I could do no more when I saw a glimmer of light, which, for a half mile, broke the darkness of the waters. It was the lantern of the Nautilus. Before twenty minutes were over we should be on board, and I should be able to breathe with ease, for it seemed that my reservoir supplied air very deficient in oxygen. But I did not reckon on an accidental meeting, which delayed our arrival for some time.

The incident had not interrupted our march. For two hours we crossed sandy plains, then fields of algae that were very unpleasant to cross. Honestly, I could go no farther when I saw a glimmer of light piercing the dark water half a mile away. It was the lantern of the Nautilus. In less than twenty minutes, we would be on board, and I would be able to breathe easily. My air reservoir seemed to be supplying air with very little oxygen. But I had not expected a chance encounter that would delay our arrival for some time.

I had remained some steps behind, when I presently saw Captain Nemo coming hurriedly towards me. With his strong hand he bent me to the ground, his companion doing the same to Conseil. At first I knew not what to think of this sudden attack, but I was soon reassured by seeing the Captain lie down beside me, and remain immovable.

I had stayed a few steps behind when I saw Captain Nemo hurrying toward me. He pressed me to the ground with his strong hand. His companion did the same to Conseil. At first, I did not know what to make of this sudden attack. But I was soon reassured when I saw the Captain lie down beside me and remain perfectly still.

I was stretched on the ground, just under the shelter of a bush of algæ, when, raising my head, I saw some enormous mass, casting phosphorescent gleams, pass blusteringly by.

I was lying on the ground, sheltered by a bush of algae. I raised my head and saw an enormous mass rush noisily past, giving off phosphorescent gleams.

My blood froze in my veins as I recognised two formidable sharks which threatened us. It was a couple of tintoreas, terrible creatures, with enormous tails and a dull glassy stare, the phosphorescent matter ejected from holes pierced around the muzzle. Monstrous brutes! which would crush a whole man in their iron jaws. I did not know whether Conseil stopped to classify them; for my part, I noticed their silver bellies, and their huge mouths bristling with teeth, from a very unscientific point of view, and more as a possible victim than as a naturalist.

My blood froze when I recognized two fearsome sharks threatening us. They were tintoreas, terrifying creatures with enormous tails and dull, glassy eyes. Phosphorescent matter came from holes around their snouts. Monstrous beasts! Their iron jaws could crush a whole man. I didn't know whether Conseil had stopped to classify them. As for me, I noticed their silver bellies and huge mouths bristling with teeth. I saw them in a very unscientific way, more as a possible victim than as a naturalist.

Happily the voracious creatures do not see well. They passed without seeing us, brushing us with their brownish fins, and we escaped by a miracle from a danger certainly greater than meeting a tiger full-face in the forest. Half an hour after, guided by the electric light, we reached the Nautilus. The outside door had been left open, and Captain Nemo closed it as soon as we had entered the first cell. He then pressed a knob. I heard the pumps working in the midst of the vessel, I felt the water sinking from around me, and in a few moments the cell was entirely empty. The inside door then opened, and we entered the vestry.

Luckily, the voracious creatures could not see well. They passed without seeing us, brushing us with their brownish fins. We escaped by a miracle from a danger certainly greater than coming face-to-face with a tiger in the forest. Half an hour later, guided by the electric light, we reached the Nautilus. The outer door had been left open. Captain Nemo closed it as soon as we entered the first chamber. He then pressed a button. I heard the pumps working in the middle of the vessel and felt the water sinking around me. Within moments, the chamber was completely empty. The inner door then opened, and we entered the vestry.

There our diving-dress was taken off, not without some trouble; and, fairly worn out from want of food and sleep. I returned to my room, in great wonder at this surprising excursion at the bottom of the sea.

There, our diving suits were taken off, though not without some trouble. Worn out from lack of food and sleep, I returned to my room, amazed by the surprising excursion on the sea floor.