OP LA PEROUSE. 2$$ 



branches, and even their trunk, in a very re~ 

 markahle manner above the fea. 



Two men belonging to the fhip, who had 

 followed me, faw an alligator quite clofe to the 

 beach, on the fouth-eaft extremity of Cocoa-nut 

 Ifland. I do not imagine that this animal is 

 very common there ; for, during the whole time 

 of our flay at this anchorage, no accident hap- 

 pened, although a great number of perfons 

 bathed frequently. 



I remarked, towards the eafl part of ibis little 

 ifland, feveral fpecies of nautili difieminated 

 amid the prodigious quantity of lithophites pi 

 which it was in a great meafure compofed. 



We were aftonifhed at the abundance and 

 the conftancy of the rain ; it was like a torrent 

 of tepid water, which was incefTantly flow- 

 ing, and which, however, did not prevent us 

 from vifiting the environs of our anchorage. 



I returned for feveral days fucceffively to 

 Cocoa-nut Ifland, or to Leigh's Ifland. 



It is very aftonifhing to meet there with Co 

 great a quantity of infects of different forms and 

 colours, the activity of which the rains did not 

 feem to diminilh. Thefe were for the moft part 

 cohoptera, which it was difficult to catch. The 

 moft diverfifled fpecies belonged to the cicen- 

 dela genus. 



We enjoyed the pleafure of feeing various 



fpecies 



