DISCREPANCIES. 



ing, I found that it was a flying-fish that I had in 

 my hands, and I am probably the first that has 

 caught such a one in bed."* 



The other incident occurred nearer home. 



In the tremendous gale of the 25th October, 

 l<s.VJ, which did so much damage on the coast of 

 South Devon, a curious incident occurred to a 

 gentleman whose house was situated close to the 

 water-side. He was sitting with his parlour win- 

 dow open, when an enormous green wave came 

 curling towards the house, and discharged its 

 force full against the window. There was no time 

 to shut the window ; but, retreating as fast as he 

 could, he pulled the door of the room after him, 

 in order to keep the sea as far as practicable from 

 the rest of the house. After some time he returned 

 to see what amount of mischief was done, and, 

 entering the room, found the floor covered with 

 flapping and jumping fishes. The wave had 

 brought forward a shoal of whiting, and had 

 deposited them on the good man's carpet; where 

 they tossed, much to his amusement and their 

 own chagrin — fish out of water. 

 * "Voyage," i. p. 145. 



89 



