A RACE WITH A WATERSPOUT. 91 



few struggles in the water, sank to the bottom, 

 and soon died. 



Many of the large holothurians were found 

 to contain these ghostly boarders, but in no in- 

 stance did they live after being taken from their 

 living home.* 



As the boys wandered along the reef they 

 unexpectedly came to the five-foot channel, 

 through which Long John had so skillfully 

 steered them. The water being too deep to 

 ford, they all boarded the liosetta, intending to 

 cross to the other side and continue the tramp ; 

 but the beauty of the coral and gorgonias in the 

 channel caused them to linger. On its confines 

 was a perfect forest of coral tree coral, it is 

 called, on account of its great size. From the 

 gunwale of the boat the swaying tops of the 

 forest were in full view, the millions of deli- 

 cate flower-like polyps of the coral in full ex- 

 pansion upon the branches. The least touch or 

 jar w r ould send every one of these flow r er-like 



* The naturalists of the Naples Aquarium have observed the 

 Fierasfer leave its host and return, the latter being made tail first ; 

 the action of the trepang in taking in water evidently aiding in the 

 accomplishment of the return. 



