Page 171 [171]
OCR
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 interruption 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 sediment 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 crimson 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
