THE ATLANTIC OCEAX. 199 



the month opens upon the upper smface of the 

 muzzle, owing to the projection of the lower jaw, it 

 is possible that this habit may be connected with 

 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 Echeneis feeds 

 on these, tlicre is an obvious reason why the head 

 should be affixed to the surface during the dis- 

 lodgement 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 %vhat we do 

 know of the animal creation, to warrant our con- 

 tident 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 Woeld-findee, 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 discovo'ed, 

 rising out of the blue sea, the beautiful island of 

 Antigua. As we draw near we are struck with it.s 

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

 into rounded hills of moderate elevation, whose 



