86 A RIDE TO CONTENT. 



which the river is impregnated forms little irregular 

 pillars and groins of coarse stalactite, play a number 

 of small reddish-brown Crabs, about three-fourths of 

 an inch in diameter, a species of Sesarma, allied to S. 

 reticulata. They are slow, deliberate, and circum- 

 spect in their general motions, creeping on a hori- 

 zontal or perpendicular surface with equal facility ; 

 but, on being alarmed, they dart hither and thither 

 with great swiftness, shooting into the dark irregular 

 recesses of the stone, so that it is not easy to take hold 

 of them. 



A RIDE TO CONTENT. 



March \st. — About fifteen miles to windward of 

 Bluefields, there is a little cottage, most singularly 

 and romantically perched on a mass of bare rock on 

 the steep mountain-side. The coffee property on 

 which it stands is called by the favourite appellation 

 (in Jamaica) of " Content ;" and here, in the society 

 of some valued friends whose residence it is, I passed 

 many contented days. Higher engagements than 

 those connected with Natural History called me into 

 the vicinity every other week, and this cottage was 

 always my home on such occasions. Setting out 

 from Bluefields in the cool of the newly-opened 

 morning, I could attain a considerable portion of 

 my journey, before the torrid rays of the sun began 

 to pour down upon the road; the gigantic shadow 

 of the mountain-ridge, rising up in a lofty barrier 

 between it and the glowing east. The shadow that 

 intercepts the rays of the declining sun is a grateful 



