Part 1 Chapter 23 Summary

It is January 10 and the Nautilus is approaching Cape Wessel. Aronnax notes that the ship has no trouble navigating the Victoria reefs there. By January 13 the ship is in the Indian Ocean. Aronnax wonders where they are going. Asia? Europe? The Cape of Good Hope? By January 14 the ship is nowhere near any landmass at all. Meanwhile Captain Nemo is conducting experiments on the temperature of the sea. He dives to the bottom himself and makes measurements.

The Nautilus runs into some technical problems and has to stay put a day or two. Aronnax looks through the panels and sees that they are in a great mass of phosphorescence filled with sea animals. It is a dazzling scene to watch. The Nautilus continues on its journey; Aronnax continues to enjoy the sights that pass by.

On January 18 the weather is bad...