SOUTH AMERICA. 91 



by swimming, and others get out again as quick 

 as possible, and trust once more to their wings. 



It often happens that this unfortunate little 

 creature, after alternate dips and flights, finding 

 all its exertions of no avail, at last drops on 

 board the vessel, verifying the old remark, 



" Incidit in Scyllam, cupiens vitare Charybdim." 



There, stunned by the fall, it beats the deck 

 with its tail and dies. When eating it, you 

 would take it for a fresh herring. The largest 

 measure from fourteen to fifteen inches in length. 

 The dolphin, after pursuing it to the ship, some- 

 times forfeits his own life. 



In days of yore, the musician used to play in 

 softest, sweetest strain, and then take an airing 

 amongst the dolphins ; " inter delphinas Arion." 

 But now-a-days, our tars have quite capsized the 

 custom ; and instead of riding ashore on the dol- 

 phin, they invite the dolphin aboard. While he 

 is darting and playing around the vessel, a sailor 

 goes out to the spritsailyard-arm, and with a long 

 staff, leaded at one end, and armed at the other 

 with five barbed spikes, he heaves it at him. If 

 successful in his aim, there is a fresh mess for all 

 hands. The dying dolphin affords a superb and 

 brilliant sight : 



" Mille trahit moriens, adverse sole colores." 

 All the colours of the rainbow pass and repass 



