INTRODUCTION. xiii 



Barbados we imdoubtecUy obtained a fair representation of the 

 fauna to the windward of the Caribbean Islands, which does not 

 seem to differ from that of the lee side. 



Tempting- as it would have been to devote more time to a 

 prolonged study of the islands within sight of which we worked 

 for a whole winter, it was only natural that our interest in the 

 land should give way to our work at sea. 



Our acquaintance with the Caribbean Islands was limited to 

 such examination as we could make from the deck of the 

 " Blake," as, we steamed from our night's anchorage out into 

 deep water, or steamed and trawled slowly for days within sight 

 of the same island. Under these circumstances, we could not 

 fail to obtain a familiarity with their topography which few of 

 the inhabitants, or of even the more enthusiastic and energetic 

 foreign travellers, could have. The few excursions we were able 

 to make in the interior, while coaling or cleaning boilers prepar- 

 atory to getting under way again, gave us charming glimpses 

 into regions rarely visited as yet. The traveller in these islands 

 is dependent almost entirely upon private hospitality, which, 

 however delightful it may be, is a great bar to independent ac- 

 tion and exploration. But the time is not distant when thein- 

 creased facilities of communication will call into existence the 

 hotels which alone are needed to make the West India Islands 

 the winter resort of innumerable tourists, who now go to Florida 

 or to the south of Europe. They will find in this new resort 

 the most lovely scenery imaginable, the perfection of winter cli- 

 mate, and unbounded hospitality ; and the lover of nature will 

 have endless occupation in the ever-varied rambles which each 

 island affords. 



As seen from the sea, the contrasts offered by the different 

 islands is most striking. I will not here speak of Cuba, Jamaica, 

 Hayti, or Porto Eico, small continents as it were, although with 

 each of these the " Blake " has some special association. Dur- 

 ing the first dredging cruise, the northern shore of Cuba from 

 Havana westward was partly explored by the " Blake," and 

 while Bahia Honda will always remain to the commander a most 

 unpleasant landmark in the history of the cruise, because our 

 Spanish pilot ran us ashore as we entered the harbor, it is 



