UNDER SEA WITH HELMET AND CAMERA 



the camera and take a short rest, another descent was made. The coral 

 head had a totally different appearance which for a moment puzzled me. 

 The cause of this was a huge (by comparison with the others) fish at 

 rest, close to the coral head and almost obscuring it. Its shape was like 

 an Angel fish but its marking and color can best be described by stating 

 that it was similar to a zebra. When a few feet of film had been exposed, 

 its mate came along and I manoeuvered into position to get them both. 

 I had trouble with one of them because he (or she) became curious 

 and coming to the window of my helmet would not go away for some 

 time. The front sight had broken off my camera case but I thought 

 experience would enable me to point correctly. I kept photographing 

 these fish until the motor had run down, and came back on board exult- 

 ing over the most interesting picture taken yet. But alas! my aim had 

 been incorrect— only a few feet show these fish, and at that, they are not 

 well placed as to position. The larger of the fish must have been about 

 thirty -four inches in length and twenty-one inches from belly to back. 

 Upon inquiry at Marine Gardens, Florida, the fish was identified as a 

 spade fish. 



In spite of my disappointment, this adventure is regarded as the most 

 interesting of any that I have had so far. The various species of fish, 

 while numerous, were becoming familiar and nothing new was expected, 

 especially on a second dive in the same place. To come suddenly upon 

 a magnificent sight that eclipsed all else was a thrill which seemed to me 

 beyond comparison. Perhaps this might approach it: A man is on an 

 African hunt with camera and gun. He is near the end of his allotted 

 time and has had indifferent luck. He walks back to his camp from a 

 bhnd where he has been hoping to see some unusual specimens. Return- 

 ing to the blind after a short absence, he sees in front of him a herd of 

 giraffe in good photographing position— animals that he had never seen 

 except in a zoo, and had not expected to meet on this expedition. 



