Oldal 171 [171]
COLOURS IN RIPPLED WATER tos
seen in the clearer waters, such as those of the west
Highland coast, unless indeed they happen to cross
the brilliant pathway beneath the sun, when they
suddenly become conspicuous in virtue of their inter¬
ruption of its dazzling reflexion. The characteristic
“ half-shadows,” so often seen in dull weather, are
formed in this way by light falling on to the water
through narrow openings in a lower layer of clouds
from high luminous clouds above them. Sometimes
also, while no direct sunshine reaches the surface,
such a narrow opening. allows light from some blue
sky directly above it to fall on the water, with the
result that we get a patch of blue amongst the gray.
We have now perhaps said enough to show that
our seas, and particularly in fine weather, cannot be
accused of monotony. Currents carrying more sedi¬
ment than the surrounding water, varying breezes
rippling. one part more than another, broad masses
of light and shade in the sky affecting differently the
different parts of the sea beneath them by their vague,
drawn-out reflexions, and the purple shadows cast by
passing clouds; all these combine to present to one
standing on a height and looking down at the water
a charming diversity of colour and tone.
There are, however, many beautiful effects that are
entirely due to reflexion. Sometimes above the crim¬
son and gold of a sunset sky and beneath the higher
blue there is a comparatively small expanse of green,
which seems singled out for reflexion by the water.
In a rougher sea we might get a rosy tinge from
pink clouds, if there happened to be any higher up,
or, with a clear sky overhead, a complete absence of