NARRATIVE OF THE CRUISE. 203 



of the breakers might be the first notice given to a passing ship, of their proximity. 

 The birds, numbers of which make these islets their home, were remarkably quiet 

 during the stay, and it was evident that no dependence could be placed .on their giving 

 warning ; it is true that no lights were shown at night, lest a passing ship might be 

 drawn into danger, and it is well known that birds are generally attracted by a ship's 

 lights, round which they circle uttering their discordant cries, still, it would be an 

 imprudent thing to trust to their doing so always, nor would they probably be attracted 

 by a ship's lights until she was in dangerous proximity to the rocks. Under these 

 circumstances, and looking to the fact that the islets are situated in the strength of the 

 Equatorial Current, it is evident that nothing but their small extent has prevented their 

 becoming the scene of numerous shipwrecks, for the lead is not of the slightest use in 

 their vicinity. 



A lighthouse erected here would be of great advantage to passing ships, for, not only 

 would it divest the rocks of their present dangerous character, but it would render them 

 of positive benefit to the navigator, as, owing to the depth of water surrounding them, 

 ships would be able to run boldly for them, either by night or day, and so correct their 

 chronometers. Nor would there be much difficulty in erecting a building, as there is a 

 level space 100 by 40 feet on the large S.W. islet, which would afford ample room, 

 and would require little preparation for the foundation. A derrick rigged out from the 

 shore, or better still, a light bridge thrown across the cove, would render landing 

 sufficiently easy in all weathers likely to be experienced in this locality, so that the work 

 might proceed uninterruptedly. By erecting the lighthouse on the summit of one of the 

 small rocky islets, an additional elevation of some 30 feet would be gained, but consider- 

 able labour would be required to cut a suitable flat for the foundations. Should a 

 lighthouse ever be erected here, arrangements for condensing water would have to be made, 

 as the only fresh water that could be possibly obtained on the rocks would be from 

 passing showers. 



Fish are plentiful and good, 1 and afford good sport with the rod, but the fishing line 

 must not be weighted. Birds were seen hovering in thousands over the rocks as they 



1 In his Report on the Shore Fishes (Zool. Chall. Exp., part vi. p. 4, 1880) Dr. Giinther gives the following list of 

 the species collected : — 



Holocentrum sancti-pauli, Giinth. 



Caranx ascensionis, Forst. 



Glyphidodon saxatilis, Linn. 



Cossyphus rufus, Linn. 



Platyglossus cyanostigma, Cuv. Val. 



Enchelycore nigricans, Bonnat. 



Batistes buniva, Lac. 

 He states " evidently many more species might have been collected during a longer stay. The fauna is composed 

 of West Indian forms, with some of the species found at Ascension and St. Helena. It is not surprising that a distinct, 

 and apparently undescribed, species of the widely spread genus Holocentrum should prove to be peculiar to this isolated 

 locality." 



