202 In Touch with Nature. 



an advantage over being in an ordinary boat, or 

 else it was these fishes were phenomenally tame. 

 Diminutive billfish or silvery gars were sporting 

 in the little pool-like shadows above half-emerged 

 leaves, and seemed to be feeding even when the 

 water was clear as crystal. The microscope must 

 be brought into play to tell the whole story. 

 Small as they were, these billfish had much of 

 the apparent spirit of fun that animates the adult. 

 They darted off at a tangent in the most eccentric 

 manner, and then, demurely returning to some 

 favorite spot, would vary the play by spinning 

 around in a brief circle, precisely as a kitten 

 chases its own tail. With minnows proper and 

 the young of other fishes they associated to some 

 extent, but not so as to suggest companionship. 



From the shallow waters to the shore ; from the 

 canoe to the dry land ; a putting aside of the 

 paddle and taking up the pedestrian's staff. I will 

 not admit that the change was pleasant ; enough 

 that it was necessary. But no landsman, when in 

 the country, should be melancholy. Here on the 

 island was green grass, enriched with the purple 

 and gold of mimulus and hypericum ; and how 



