Part 2 Chapter 4 Summary

The Nautilus leaves the Island of Ceylon January 29 and spends the next week near the Persian Gulf and the Sea of Onan. Ned Land grumbles he has no idea where they are going; Aronnax says he loves the journey.

The submarine enters the Red Sea. Aronnax finds the lost city of Mocha. They move along the African coast. Aronnax enjoys the view and writes long descriptions of mollusks, sponges, gobies, etc. He and Captain Nemo chat about the Red Sea and the history of naval transportation. Captain Nemo attributes the color of the sea to microscopic seaweed. He gives a long history of the Suez Canal as first begun by King Sesostris in 615 B.C. He regrets that they are not going to the Suez Canal, but he is taking them to the Mediterranean tomorrow.

Aronnax can hardly believe the Nautilus...