136 THE TROPICAL SEAS. 
seas, and the distant south latitudes beyond 
them, are all alive with birds and fishes, pur- 
suing and pursued. Every various species 
of the Gull-kind are there seen hovering on 
the wing, at a thousand miles distance from 
the shore. The flying-fish are every mo- 
ment rising to escape from their pursuers of 
the deep, only to encounter equal dangers in 
the air. Just as they rise, the Dolphin is 
seen to dart after them, but generally in 
vain; the Gull has more frequent success, 
and often takes them at their rise, while the 
Alcatraz pursues the Gull, and obliges it to 
relinquish its prey; so that the whole hori- 
zon presents but one living picture of rapa- 
city and evasion.” 
“‘That picture of the Tropical seas is very 
vivid,” said the Admiral, to-day, who had 
again joined the party; ‘* but I think its 
contrast with the other seas is attempt- 
ed to be made too strong. The Tropical 
seas are exuberantly supplied with living 
things, but there are no seas upon which life 
is not discovered in more or less profusion. 
Sea-birds are everywhere upon the waters. 
I have in my pocket a copy of an irregular 
