Narratue oi' Baiia:\ia Expedition. 57 



way was made, and the western edge of the Banks reached. 

 On the mornino- of Saturdaw May 20th, we found the Double 

 Headed Shot Cays in sight. Water Cay, the westernmost 

 and largest of these, is in latitude 24" , and longitude 80" .15. 

 Reading in the book of instructions that this island contained 

 a •' natural well of excellent water." we determined to cast 

 anchor and send a boat ashore, in hopes of refilling some of 

 our empty barrels. The captain, with praiseworthy caution, 

 anchored several miles out. thus necessitating a long and hea\-v 

 pull in a rough sea before we reached the Cay. There is no 

 landing place for boats on the north side, but a little agilit\- 

 will enable one to make a flying leap onto the jagged over- 

 hanging rocks with which the coast on this side is fringed. 

 We found the •• well of excellent w^ater " to be a delusion as it 

 was almost unbearably brackish, although used by the nati\'e 

 spongers, who consider anything good that will sustain life. 

 The island is about two miles long and half a mile broad, and 

 is the home of countless sea-birds, particularly man o' war- 

 birds, bridled and noddy terns. Both the latter species were 

 remarkably tame, the noddies in particular, being apparently 

 obli\'ious of our presence, and allowing themselves to be taken 

 from their nests by hand. A large number of the eggr. of 

 both species were secured. Considerable quantities of gor- 

 gonians and sponges were found dried upon the rocks, ha\ing 

 probably been cast up by the wa\es. and then blown inward 

 by the wind. The rocks seem to be extensiveh' exca\'ated 

 beneath the centre of the island, and in several places were 

 openings through w hich the roar of the underhing sea could 

 be heard. Near the north shore was a picturesque amphi- 

 theatre carved in the coral rock, at the bottom of which was 

 a round jiool of deep blue sea-water, in which many gor- 

 geous lisli could be seen. I'he highest point of the rocks is 

 about lift}- feet above the sea level. On the south side is a 

 \'ery pretty stretch of sand beach around the margins of a 

 semi-circular co\-e, affording a good landing for boats. 



Mr. Wickham furnishes the following note: •' The three 

 iiours' work on Water Cay served to give an idea of the some- 



