1 62 TWO YOUNG NATURALISTS. 



the owner of the boat, it was quite evident, that they 

 would get the use of it. So the doctor's nephew was 

 able to say with reason 



" What name shall we give to our vessel ?" 

 "That, my dear boys," interrupted the donor, "I 

 have been obliged to attend to myself already. I am 

 sorry for it, for I should have preferred the pleasure 

 left to you. But our law in France is as imperative 

 in demanding a recognised name for a boat taking the 

 sea as for a child who has come into the world. I 

 have therefore brought our new acquisition into har- 

 mony with the official regulations by giving it a name 

 of my own choice. Eead and confirm." 



On the stern of the vessel the young men saw, on 

 inspection, a carved figure of a white bird standing 

 out in bold relief, with its wings unfolded, while 

 above it in gilded letters, and just then brilliant in 

 the rays of the sun was the name 



THE ALBATEOSS. 



