The Waterspout 



CHAPTER X. 



HONG KONG TO LABUAN. 



Atmospheric Phenomena — Fiery Cross Reef— Corals and Coral Fish — A Wade 

 on the Eeef — Marine Animals — Gigantic Anemones — Anemone-inhabit- 

 ing Fish — Stormy "Weather — Waterspout — Aspect of Labuan — Vegetation 

 — The Jungle — Camphor Trees — The Coal Mines — Workings — Quality 

 of the Coal — Geological Considerations — Petroleum. 



After a rapid passage back through some of the spots 

 where we had so lately lingered, and which had become so 

 familiar — and a few days' preparation in the Anglo-Chinese 

 colony, we once more quitted Hong Kong, on the 23rd July, 

 and this time for the south. It being the middle of the 

 tj'phoon season, we made the best of om^ way across the 

 region ia which they might be looked for ; and, after a 

 most enjoyable cruise of nine days, reached the latitude 

 of 10° N., where we were safe from those scourges of the 



