90 CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE ORNITHOLOGY OF INDIA. 



had been working, first hard for sport, then frantically to 

 find the Philosopher. They, however, were not the men to 

 stay behind, and though neither of them had more than a 

 pretence for shoes left, they had a stiff peg each and started with 

 the party, who also secured the invaluable co-operation of the 

 Nicobarese who most cheerfully and good temperedly set out to 

 pilot the party through the jungle. Without these men and 

 (they were not forgotten when the mission had been accom- 

 plished) it is doubtful if our party could ever have made 

 their way through the thicket. As it was, strong as they were, 

 and guided by the Nicobarese, with two axes and two or three 

 cutlasses going the whole time, the party taking it in turns to 

 work these, they took more than an hour to force a passage of 

 less than half a mile in length, and very nearly an hour to cut 

 their way out again. 



As for " the lost and lovely," if the stories current that night 

 were to be believed, never was "mussuck" so difficult to charge 

 with fluid as he was. "When we found him" said one "he 

 could'nt have weighed 301bs., he was like a withered apple, and 

 he expanded under the influence of pegs, as such an apple might 

 under an air pump." A dozen of sodas and a bottle of 

 brandy was the lowest estimate I heard mentioned, and even 

 this was coupled with the fact that, like Oliver, he immediately 

 asked for more ! But the Philosopher's safety assured the great 

 matter of interest was the glorious prize that had been secured. 

 While forcing their way through the jungle, they had caught 

 glimpses of what they took to be gigantic spiders scuttling past. 

 Then they had other fish to fry, and not even a Dodo would 

 I think have delayed them an instant, but on the way back 

 it was different, and when another of these astounding spiders 

 crossed their path, the Geologist with a rush put his foot on it, 

 and despite its vehement struggles held on till a light was 

 brought. Then it appeared that the supposed spider was a 

 gigantic Crustacean of the most dangerous and pugnaceous 

 nature ; after many attempts he was secured with creepers, and 

 was being borne along in triumph, when Davison approaching 

 him too nearly, he seized his coat with one claw that he had 

 got loose and literally tore it off his back. However at last 

 his claws were wedged, and though in coming off the canoe was 

 upset, and some of the party had to swim for it, the crab came 

 safely on board. 



The delight of our Crustacean, when this near relative of 

 his was presented to him, amply repaid, as Davison remarked, 

 all the pains, its capture and transport had entailed, and we 



