THE AMERICAN WHALEMAN. 



123 



turtles slumber on the beaches, and their vast stores- of eggs 

 may be dug from the warm sands. Seals and 'sea -lions 

 tamely lie on the rocky islets ; the sombre pelican sits brood- 

 ing on the ledges, so absorbed that the mischievous seaman 

 may place a cautious hand under its contented tail, and tip 

 it heels over head into the water below. Little land-birds 

 alight upon your person absolutely unconscious of fear, and 

 in the lagoons are beautiful fan-like mussels eighteen inches 

 in length, and innumerable conch-shells. The deeper waters 



abound in infinite numbers of fish, diversified in colors, forms, 

 and qualities. Some of the larger of these are so easily 

 taken, that you are well equipped for sport with a boat-hook 

 and a square inch of red flannel. In four fathoms swarm 

 schools of the excellent groupers, twenty or more pounds in 

 weight. But beckon to them with the baited hook, and a 

 half-score of scarlet beauties will answer the polite invitation 



