BIRDS OF THE BAHAMA ISLANDS. 3 1 



sprung up, and as our horses were somewhat rested, we remounted, 

 and aa hour later entered the village of Clarence Harbor, and fired 

 a gun as a signal to notify the men on board the vessel of our 

 arrival. In a few minutes the dim outline of the boat appeared, and 

 half an hour later, seated in the cabin enjoying a good supper, the 

 fatigue of the day was forgotten. Supper over, we went on deck, 

 and stretching ourselves in the large easy-chairs, enjoyed our cigars 

 while watching the waves, lit up by myriads of animalcula;, seeming 

 on fire as they dashed against the side of the vessel. 



While at Clarence Harbor, a negro brought me a curiously 

 carved piece of lignumvitae-wood which he had found in a cave, far 

 back in the hills, while exploring for guano. The wood was cut to 

 represent a tortoise, having a human head, but with the back hol- 

 lowed out instead of being oval, and was evidently carved from one 

 piece of wood. It had been in his possession for over a year, and 

 placing no value upon it, the head had been broken off and lost, and 

 the body somewhat injured, he having allowed his children to use it 

 as a plaything. In spite of the reward which I offered him, he was 

 unable to find the missing parts, and so another valuable and inter- 

 esting specimen was destroyed through ignorance. 



