Narrative of Bahama Expedition. 69 



the hottest part of the da} , as there was usually little breeze 

 at that time. Just after sunrise the horizon was encircled by 

 solitar^■ cumulus clouds, which had the turreted appearance so 

 common in the tropics. Sometimes they assumed the shape of 

 towering columnar masses with a spreading top. When the 

 wind was east or south of that quarter the clouds would gather 

 in the afternoon, and violent rain-squalls would pass westward 

 over the island. The amount of water which sometimes fell 

 in the course of half an hour was almost incredible. On 

 one occasion I saw the water reaching to the horses' bellies in 

 one of the main streets. Although the drainage seemed a"ood, 

 the water came so fast that it was actualh' unable to run off 

 with sut^icient rapidity to prevent this accumulation. It is 

 said to be unsafe to use the water in the harbor for any pur- 

 pose after a heavy rain has washed the streets of the citv. and 

 carried the garbage into the bay. 



We remained in Havana Harbor for two davs and three 

 nights at this time. The evenings were delightful, and most 

 of our partv preferred to stav on board. One evening the 

 Spanish cruiser nearest us was going through the search-light 

 drill, and threw the dazzling beam on the quarter-deck of the 

 '•Emily E. Johnson.'' keeping it there for some time, and 

 throwing every object into the sharpest relief. Whether this 

 was a bold scheme to scrutinize the American ■• Scuori/cfs." or 

 an indication of some suspicion on the part of the authorities, 

 we never learned. 



About all of the naturalizing done at Havana was accom- 

 plished by our indefatigable entomologists. Mr. Wickham 

 has handed me the following notes: 



•■ The tirst insects to attract attention on going ashore were 

 specimens of Cvbister Ilicniiin/cri. and a species of HxdrofJii- 

 lus. looking \'ery much like our //. triinio-iilaris. These were 

 found on the ground under the electric lights which line the 

 harbor front, and later we found a verv large Bciiaciis under 

 the lamps in various parts of the city. A week later an oppor- 

 tunity presented itself to go across on the other side of the bay 

 for an hovu-'s work beating, bv which it was hoped to add 



