LIFE ON A CORAL ISLAND. 811 



heads the oysters which were growing in great clusters on the roots 

 and branches of the trees. The clear water was filled with fishes of 

 strange forms and brilliant colors, and they were perfectly fearless, so 

 that they could be examined without difficulty, as they chased and 

 captured their food among the submerged roots. The bottom was 

 thickly covered with beautiful sea-anemones, and everywhere, on the 

 bottom, on the roots and branches of the trees, and on the rocks at the 

 water's edge, we found a wealth of mollusks and Crustacea, which soon 

 taught us to regard the mangrove-thickets as rich collecting-grounds. 

 We were, however, unable to penetrate through it to the land until we 

 discovered a little cove, where the bushes had been cut down. Push- 

 ing the boat into this, we reached an open, grassy landing-place, shaded 

 by two or three cocoanut-trees, and surrounded by a dense forest ex- 

 cept at one point, where a narrow path led up the hill to the house. 



The front was at first a stronger attraction than the house, and 

 one of the first objects to catch the eye was a great mass of epiphytic 

 orchids on a dead branch close to our landing-place. The species is 

 not one that is prized by orchid cultivators, but the plant, which was 

 much more luxuriant than those which are seen in greenhouses, and 

 in full bloom with flowers which diffused a delightful fragrance 

 through the woods, was gathered just before our return to Baltimore, 

 and was safely carried home, and is now here in full vigor and beauty, 

 a living memento of our first landing on a coral island. 



As we were unable to penetrate the thicket without great labor, 

 the party soon made its way along the path up the hill to the old 

 house, which was critically examined as to its fitness for a laboratory 

 and home for our party of seven. It proved to be a one-story frame 

 house, without windows or floor, but out-of-doors the surroundings 

 were all that a naturalist could wish. The exposed side commanded a 

 view of the island and harbor, while the other three sides were sur- 

 rounded by a dense growth of shade and fruit trees, which had been 

 planted by the absent owner. We also found a large stone cistern 

 shaded by palms and tamarind-trees and orange-bushes, and filled with 

 good water. 



We had been informed that there were no vacant houses in the 

 town, and, although this one was very small and not at all suitable for 

 work with the microscope, a residence in this cool and elevated place 

 in the heart of the forest seemed so attractive that the discovery that 

 it swarmed with mosquitoes did not dampen our enthusiasm ; and, 

 even after the fine general view of the island, which we obtained from 

 the hill behind it, had shown us that we were separated from the town 

 and from the nearest house by a long, winding sound, and should be 

 compelled to go three or four miles for our supplies, we still felt that 

 the attractions of this retired spot would overbalance all the disad- 

 vantages in case no better house could be found in the town. 



When the excursionists returned to the schooner, however, they 



