THE ATLANTIC OCEAN. 215 



taking food : there are many little creatures, such, 

 as Crustacea, Barnacles, &c, that are parasitical on 

 the bodies of marine animals, or attach themselves 

 to any submerged substance. If the Eckeneis feeds 

 on these, there is an obvious reason why the head 

 should be affixed to the surface during the dislodg- 

 ment of the adhering prey, in order to acquire 

 greater steadiness, as well as a leverage by which 

 to act more effectively. At all events, we know 

 that it is not a useless habit ; we trace enough 

 of manifest design and contrivance in what we do 

 know of the animal creation, to warrant our con- 

 fident conclusion, when we find any instinct, the 

 intention of which is not obvious, that it also is 

 the production of infinite wisdom and goodness, 

 and that it could not have been spared without 

 injury to the animal. 



Borne on the wings of the welcome breeze, we 

 rapidly approach that archipelago of lovely islands 

 that gladdened the heart and rewarded the zeal of 

 the chivalric World-finder, the first fruits of the 

 vast continent which the genius and daring of one 

 master-mind opened to astonished Europe. The 

 joyful sound of " Land in sight !" resounds through 

 the ship, and yonder, upon the bow, is discovered, 

 rising out of the blue sea, the beautiful island of 

 Antigua. As we draw near, we are struck with its 

 loveliness ; the coast is low, but the land rises behind 

 into rounded hills of moderate elevation, whose 

 swelling eminences and gentle slopes assume some- 

 what of the appearance of the chalk hills and downs 

 of our own sweet Eimland. But there are features 



