Unnatural Appetites 203 



the possible advent of marauders. But no sooner was 

 the important part of the business accomphshed than 

 our hunger often tempted us to devour this treasure 

 we had come so far to deposit, and I here at once 

 avow that the greatest enemies of our own ova were 

 ourselves. Why we did not render the race extinct 

 I know not, unless that in many, nay, most cases, 

 the eggs had been so cunningly hidden that we could 

 not find them ourselves. Nor do I know how long 

 the business lasted. Only one day, impelled by the 

 fiercest pangs of hunger, and by an uncontrollable 

 desire to get out where food was plentiful, I started 

 westward at a furious rate of speed, and escaping 

 every lure, soon found myself once more in the Atlantic, 

 recommencing my world-wide wanderings. 



