110 WANDERINGS IN SOUTH A^IERICA 



amongst the dolphins; ''inter delphinas Arion." 

 But nowadays, our tars have quite capsized the 

 custom; and instead of riding ashore on the 

 dolphin, they invite the dolphin aboard. While 

 he is darting and playing around the vessel, a 

 sailor goes out to the spritsailyard-arm, and with 

 a long staff, leaded at one end, and armed at the 

 other with five barbed spikes, he heaves it at him. 

 If successful in his aim, there is a fresh mess for 

 all hands. The dying dolphin affords a superb 

 and brilliant sight: 



"Mille trahit moriens, adverse sole colores." 



All the colours of the rainbow pass and repass 

 in rapid succession over his body, till the dark 

 hand of death closes the scene. 



From the Cape de Verd islands to the coast of 

 Brazil, you see several different kinds of gulls, 

 which probably are bred in the island of St. Paul. 

 Sometimes the large bird called the Frigate Peli- 

 can soars majestically over the vessel, and the 

 Tropic-Bird comes near enough to let you have a 

 fair view of the long feathers in his tail. On the 

 line, when it is calm. Sharks of a tremendous size 

 make their appearance. They are descried from 

 the ship by means of the dorsal fin, which is 

 above the water. 



On entering the bay of Pernambuco, the Frigate 

 Pelican is seen watching the shoals of fish from a 

 prodigious height. It seldom descends without a 

 successful attack on its numerous prey below. 



As you approach the shore, the view is charm- 

 ing. The hills are clothed with wood, gradually 



