MOONLIGHT. 297 



but yet were fierce, turning on the hand and drawing 

 blood with their acute little canines. The eyes were 

 rather larger and fuller than usual, and at evening 

 shone brightly ; but by day they were, for the most 

 part, nearly or wholly covered by the eyelids. I 

 found this Bat infested with a few winged insect- 

 parasites of small size and buff colour {Strehla ves- 

 pertilio7iis) which flew away from among its fur even 

 while it was alive. 



MOONLIGHT. 



There is something exceedingly romantic in the 

 nights of the tropics. It is pleasant to sit on the 

 landing-place at the top of the flight of steps in 

 front of Bluefields House, after night has spread her 

 *' purple wings " over the sky, or even to lie at full 

 length on the smooth stones ; it is a hard bed, but 

 not a cold one, for the thick flags, exposed to the 

 burning sun through the day, become thoroughly 

 heated, and retain a considerable degree of warmth 

 till morning nearly comes again. The warmth of the 

 flat stones is particularly pleasant, as the cool night 

 breezes play over the face. The scene is favourable 

 for meditation ; the moon, *' walking in brightness," 

 gradually climbing up to the very centre of the deep 

 blue sky, sheds on the grassy sward, the beasts, lying- 

 down here and there, the fruit-trees, the surrounding 

 forest, and the glistening sea spread out in front, 

 a soft but brilliant radiance unknown to the duller 

 regions of the north. The babbling of the little 

 rivulet, winning its seaward way over the rocks and 

 pebbles, comes like distant music upon the ear, of 



