Narrative of Bahama Expedition. 57 



way was made, and the western ed<^e of the Banks reached. 

 On the mornino" of Saturday', May 20th, we found the Double 

 Headed Shot Cays in sight. Water Cay, the westernmost 

 and hu'gest 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. Tiie captain, with praiseworthy caution, 

 anchored several miles out, thus necessitating a long and heav\- 

 pull in a rough sea before we reached the Ca}', There is no 

 landing place for boats on the north side, but a little agilitv 

 will enable one to make a flying leap onto the jagged o^'er- 

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

 We found the •' well of excellent water " 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 apparenth' 

 oblivious of our presence, and allowing themselves to be taken 

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

 both species were secured. Considerable quantities of gor- 

 gonians and sponges were found dried upon the rocks, having 

 probably been cast up by the waves, and then blown in^vard 

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

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

 openings through which the roar of the underlying 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 pool of deep blue sea-water, in which many gor- 

 geous fish could be seen. The highest point of the rocks is- 

 about fifty feet above the sea level. On the south side is a 

 very pretty stretch of sand beach around the margins of a 

 semi-circular cove, affording a good landing for boats. 



Mr. Wickham furnishes the following note: " The three 

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



