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.