But before it reached our level, it became gradu- 

 ally visible in the transparent depths below. It 

 was burdened with nothing more exciting than 

 a weed-covered, worm-eaten, and water-logged 

 plank. This, from all appearances, was ripped from 

 the side of a submerged and crumbling wreck; it 

 was broken off abruptly at one end and had be- 

 come wedged between the iron skids at the opening 

 of the traveling trawl. The interior of the net con- 

 tained several squids, some fishes, and a seething 

 mass of different species of crabs — Hyas being 

 the most abundant. 



After the trawl was secured close to the side, my 

 Faithful Assistant left me to myself, where I was 

 looking over the population of the plank, while 

 she went into the cabin, whence soon the odor of 

 frying bacon was wafted over the fresh morning 

 air. 



As is usual with timber long submerged, the 

 plank had become a haven for a horde of smaller 

 folk such as young starfishes, baby crabs, and vari- 

 ous species of the lower, long-bodied crustaceans, 

 and of worms. Permanently attached were sundry 

 plants (red, brown, and green seaweeds) and 



[224] 



