222 THE SNAPPER AND THE GROPER. 



having been bitten by his foe. This remedy, which 

 is vegetable, he states to be very common. Its in- 

 fallibility is implicitly believed in by the residents ; 

 and, from their account, even a stranger cannot re- 

 fuse credence to its worth, after listening to a recital 

 of the many satisfactory tests it has been subjected 

 to by the faculty. 



Whilst we were engaged ashore, those who chose 

 to remain on board the ship passed the time in 

 angling. Amongst other specimens of what had been 

 caught, was one known as the snapper, each weigh- 

 ing from twenty to thirty-five pounds. They had 

 scales, and were of a reddish color. Another, known 

 as the groper, from its swimming close to the bot- 

 tom, weighs from fifty to one hundred and fifty 

 pounds. It has scales on its body, and is black in 

 color. Both these fish have ivory teeth, from a 

 quarter to three-quarters of an inch in length, and 

 of the same shape as those of the sperm whale. 

 Both are good eating, salted or fresh. They require 

 a strono; line and stout arm to secure them. Beside 

 these members of the finny tribe, there are also to be 

 found here others of less note: the mackerel, her- 

 ring, benita, salmon, and whitings — existing in great 

 numbers. We caught and salted a barrel of them ; 

 but, from an excess of salt, they were unpalatable, 

 and we were forced to heave them overboard when 

 we got outside. 



On returning to the beach to go aboard, we 

 discovered that one of our party was missing. It 

 proved to be a New Bedford boy, who, although his 

 name was John, had been 'yclept Barney, from the 

 first day of our sailing. He was a good-natured fel- 



