THE WONDERS OF A] AX REEF 303 



great rounded sponges of the size and shape of 

 pumpkins (Hippospongia) and occasionally a large 

 star fish, a Pentaceros. In other places the 

 bottom was of a smooth sandy mud without 

 any growth on it whatever. 



Suddenly as we proceeded rapidly along, the 

 level floor of the sea changed and before us arose 

 two rounded knolls reaching up to within seven 

 or eight feet of the surface. Upon them grew 

 thickets I almost said forests, of corals and 

 Gorgonias or sea fans. They crowned the tops of 

 the hillocks and occupied areas along their sides 

 leaving spots of gleaming white, sandy bottom 

 between. We were going in an easterly direction 

 toward the morning sunlight which streamed 

 through the submarine valley and into these 

 masses of growth with a bewilderingly beautiful 

 effect. In and out among these lovely thickets 

 schools of the most gaudily and fantastically 

 colored fish lazed and drifted. 



The number of these fishes was amazing, their 

 color and grace indescribable. Flashing just 

 above the reef were hundreds of a small fish never 

 over six inches long and shaped like the "pumpkin 

 seed" of northern fresh waters, its color being of 



