fftowmbet 193 



allude to its being seen thus floating on the sea ; 

 but, alas, the rude hand of science has brushed 

 away the charming poetic fancy, and we are told 

 that the two flattened membranes, which were 

 supposed to be sails, are only used for the prosaic 



ARGONAUT, OR PAPER NAUTILUS 

 (Mythical). 



purpose of secreting calcareous matter, in order to 

 repair the shell when injured. 



We do not readily part with such a charming 

 vision as the poet thus describes : 



' Light as a flake of foam upon the wind, 

 Keel upwards, from the deep emerged a shell 

 Shaped like the moon ere half her orb is filled. 

 Fraught with young life, it righted as it rose, 

 And moved at will along the yielding water. 

 The native pilot of this little bark 

 Put out a tier of oars on either side ; 

 Spread to the wafting breeze a two-fold sail, 

 And mounted up, and glided down the billow, 

 In happy freedom, pleased to feel the air, 

 And wander in the luxury of light.' 



Pelican Island, by MONTGOMERY. 



One could wish to be a fairy watching this little 

 skiff come towards one across a halcyon sea ! 



13 



