166 FISHES I HAVE KNOWN 



There are certain days, few and far between, in 

 every climate, when the physical conditions are 

 perfect. The day we sailed for Diego Garcia was 

 one of these earth, sky, and sea, harmonised, re- 

 flecting their concord upon humanity. Everybody 

 on board was in good humour, and probably the 

 super-excellent luncheon of wnich we in the saloon 

 had partaken, had something to do with it. 



The temperature was perfection, 75, and a very 

 gentle breeze, which just rippled the deep blue 

 water, kept us all cool. The steamer was steady 

 as a rock, and slipped along smoothly and noise- 

 lessly. 



After clearing the atoll we passed by several 

 uninhabited lovely coral islets. Cocoanut-trees 

 studded the low-lying land, and clouds of pretty 

 little snow-white terns hovered over the silvery 

 beach in search of molluscs. Every prospect 

 pleased, and we felt that to cruise about here for 

 weeks would be to temporarily regain Paradise, for 

 we had forgotten the mosquitoes, the fleas, and the 

 sand-flies ! 



Here it may be noted that the Chagos Archi- 

 pelago belongs to Great Britain, and is in the 

 jurisdiction of the Mauritius Government. 



The harbour of Aden, and also the Suez Canal, 

 turned out to be barren fishing-grounds. Sharks 



