410 KEELING ISLAND. [CHAP. xx. 



of the low islands in the West Indies. The compressed sand, or 

 porous coral rock, is permeated like a sponge with the salt water ; 

 but the rain which falls on the surface must sink to the level of the 

 surrounding sea, and must accumulate there, displacing an equal 

 bulk of the salt water. As the water in the lower part of the great 

 sponge-like coral mass rises and falls with the tides, so will the 

 water near the surface ; and this will keep fresh, if the mass be 

 sufficiently compact to prevent much mechanical admixture ; but 

 where the land consists of great loose blocks of coral with open 

 interstices, if a well be dug, the water, as I have seen, is brackish. 



After dinner we stayed to see a curious half superstitious scene 

 acted by the Malay women. A large wooden spoon dressed in 

 garments, and which had been carried to the grave of a dead man, 

 they pretend becomes inspired at the full of the moon, and will 

 dance and jump about. After the proper preparations, the spoon, 

 held by two women, became convulsed, and danced in good time to 

 the song of the surrounding children and women. It was a most 

 foolish spectacle; but Mr. Liesk maintained that many of the 

 Malays believed in its spiritual movements. The dance did not 

 commence till the moon had risen, and it was well worth remaining 

 to behold her bright orb so quietly shining through the long arms 

 of the cocoa-nut trees as they waved in the evening breeze. These 

 scenes of the tropics are in themselves so delicious, that they almost 

 equal those dearer ones at home, to which we are bound by each 

 best feeling of the mind. 



The next day I employed myself in examining the very interest- 

 ing, yet simple structure and origin of these islands. The water 

 being unusually smooth, I waded over the outer flat of dead rock 

 as far as the living mounds of coral, on which the swell of the open 

 sea breaks. In some of the gullies and hollows there were beautiful 

 green and other coloured fishes, and the form and tints of many of 

 the zoophytes were admirable. It is excusable to grow enthusiastic 

 over the infinite numbers of organic beings with which the sea of 

 the tropics, so prodigal of life, teems ; yet I must confess I think 

 those naturalists who have described, in well-known words, the 

 submarine grottoes decked with a thousand beauties, have indulged 

 in rather exuberant language. 



April 6th. I accompanied Captain Fitz Eoy to an island at the 

 head of the lagoon : the channel was exceedingly intricate, winding 

 through fields of delicately branched corals. AVe saw several turtle 



