341 



the beauty of the submarine scenery that surrounds the 

 islands of the Pacific Ocean. Those who have occasion to 

 pass over the reefs of Mauritius will recognize the general 

 accuracy of these descriptions, though they fall much short 

 of the reality. The variety of colour and configuration 

 exhibited by the coralline productions of these reefs, can 

 only be exceeded by that of the animated beings that sport 

 among their branches. Every variety of tint, from bur- 

 nished gold or silver to the deepest black, is reflected in 

 transient flashes on the eye, as they turn their polished 

 sides to the solar rays. 



" Nature has been, in this respect, less bountiful to the 

 Isle of Bourbon. Its shelving shore, destitute of reefs, 

 affords no shelter to the smaller and more brilliant tribes of 

 fishes; and such as frequent its coast must be sought for 

 in the deep sea, where the fishermen dare not venture v/ith 

 their frail canoes, except in very fine weather. Owing to 

 this cause also, they are precluded from the use of the 

 seine, as well as from another method of fishing, that fur- 

 nishes a copious supply to the market of Port-Louis. The 

 night-fishing; on the reefs of Mauritius is managed much on 

 the same principle as that which is still furtively practised 

 on some of the small rivers of Scotland during the spawning 

 season. A faggot of any inflammable wood is kindled in 

 the pirogue, and illuminates the reef all round. The fish, 

 attracted by the blaze, assemble round the boat, and are 

 speared by the fishermen in vast numbers. 



" The small extent of the Island of Mauritius, and its 

 remote situation in the middle of the ocean, have necessarily 

 limited the number of its vegetable productions ; and various 

 other causes, besides aiding to the same effect, have tended 

 to stamp these productions with a peculiar character. The 

 moderate height of its mountains is unfavourable to the pro- 

 pagation of alpine plants ; and the thickness of its woods to 

 that of such as require the full influence of the solar rays ; 

 while its rocky shores are covered with an animated crust 

 that effectually prevents the establishment of those which 

 vegetate only beneath the surface of the waves. We find, 



