THE ATLANTIC OCEAN. 219 



of the Florida Eeef, the crew had been amusing 

 themselves with fishing, in which they had been 

 very successful. An Osprey (Halmetus ossifragus), 

 attracted, doubtless, by the fish that lay in profu- 

 sion about the decks, was slowly sailing around, 

 occasionally alighting on the ropes and spars. As 

 he hovered overhead, turning his head from side to 

 side, every feather was distinctly seen;* but from 

 the reflection of the water beneath, all his under 

 parts, which are pure white, appeared of a fine pea- 

 green, and it was only on catching a side-glance at 

 him, that I discovered his true colour, and identified 

 the species. It is very pleasing to peer down into 

 the varying depths, especially in the clear waters of 

 these seas, and look at the many-coloured bottom; 

 sometimes a bright pearly sand, spotted with shells 

 and corals ; then a large patch of brown rock, whose 

 gaping clefts and fissures are but half hidden by the 

 waving tangles of purple weed ; where multitudes of 

 strange creatures revel and riot undisturbed. 



u Come down, come down from the tall ship's side ; 

 What a marvellous sight is here ! 

 Look ! purple rocks and crimson trees, 

 Down in the deep so clear ! 



"See! where those shoals of dolphins go, 

 A glad and glorious band; 

 Sporting amidst the day-bright woods 

 Of a coral fairy land. 



"See ! on the violet sands beneath. 

 How the gorgeous shells do glide ! 

 sea! old sea ! who yet knows half 

 Of thy wonders and thy pride ? 



