SCENE BY STARLIGHT. 13 



air, by the action of the pectorals — a true flight, 

 those connected with the geographical distribution 

 of the species are worthy of notice. The common 

 Atlantic species, which I take to be volitans, suddenly 

 appeared in considerable numbers in long. 41°, or 

 just midway between Africa and the West Indies. 

 They continued to be abundant until within a day's 

 sail of Antigua, where they were replaced by the 

 little Blue-backs, and were seen no more. This 

 beautiful little species suddenly became quite as 

 abundant as the former had been, and so continued 

 until we neared Hayti. The great Black-winged 

 kind appeared three days to windward of Antigua, 

 and continued to appear, conjointly with the Blue- 

 back, but rarely more than two or three in a day. 

 The last seen was near the west end of Hayti. 



One morning I rose at three to enjoy the delight- 

 ful coolness of the scene by starlight. The watch 

 were all seated on the booms beneath the shadow of 

 the boats amidships, and the only living being visible 

 on deck was the man at the wheel, and he did his 

 easy work silent and motionless. The white sails 

 were bellying out before the gallant trade-wind, and 

 the rushing of the bows through the little waves, 

 and the rustling of the water beneath the quarter, 

 were the only sounds to be heard. The sky was 

 almost cloudless; Orion, in glittering splendour, — 

 " armatus auro Orion," — was nearly in the zenith ; 

 Ursus major had just risen from his ocean bath, no 

 longer answering to the ancient description, — 



" 'ApicTOS ■ 



Oh] S' dniiopoQ tan Xosrpwv 'QKeavoTo" — 



