INVITATION 



in a moment than a lifetime can ever fully realise 

 or comprehend. 



There are five principal types of ocean bottom : 

 (1) Soft sand; (2) flat, sandy coral rock; (3) 

 coral reef; (4) feather "bar" ; and (5) "grass." 



Upon sand and grass there are few bottom fish 

 found except sand and flat fish of the stingaree 

 order. Starfish, urchins, and some shells, the 

 conch being the most important of them, complete 

 the list for a casual observer. Here, however, are 

 the sharks and other "floating" fish which live 

 upon the shoals of goggle-eyes and each other in- 

 discriminately. Shad may be sometimes seen in 

 thejshallows from the shore, and "bone" or "lady" 

 fish also, but there are not many of the latter 

 near Nassau. Sometimes large shoals are met 

 with on the south side of the island, and a few 

 are found at Old Fort, down west. All fish that 

 live over sand are silver, or, if flat fish, sand colour 

 with spots. Most hunting fish, indeed, are silver 

 fish with blue or black backs, and are consequently 

 nearly invisible as they lie in wait motionless for 

 their incipient dinners; they are generally long 

 and narrow, built for speed like a racing motor, 

 and it is amazing how swiftly they can fly through 

 the water when hooked or hunting. 



The flat, sandy rock usually harbours some in- 

 habitants, especially where a few feathers and 

 ferns vary its monotony; but it is on the coral 



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