148 EAMBLES OF A NATURALIST. [Ch. X. 



little yellow chaetodons, roamed about singly; others, in 

 large shoals ; some were of considerable size, and seemed to 

 suck ia the little ones like motes in the water ; and in an 

 interval a small shark, about ten feet long, swam leisurely 

 past. A baited hook hanging over the stem attracted several 

 species, which nibbled harmlessly at it ; while many others 

 paid no attention to it; and it is somewhat singular that 

 although I took several, they were all of one out of the 

 numerous species which were gliding in and out of the 

 sheltering branches of coral. At the same time, from the 

 ship, several large fishes, known to the sailors as snappers, 

 were taken — ^bright red, with large scales, hard fins, and 

 several sharp teeth; but, according to usual experience, 

 these could only be captured in the first haK hour or so 

 after the ship had come to an anchor. 



On subsequent occasions a ripple updn the surface of the 

 water destroyed the great charm of the reef as I have thus 

 faintly described it. With the aid of the water-glass, however 

 (a long tube with a thick piece of glass let into the lower end), 

 this difficulty was in a great measure obviated. The reef 

 proved to be very extensive ; but in most parts not less than 

 two fathoms under water, and in no part awash. On one of 

 the shallowest patches, three miles from our anchorage, were 

 the timbers of a wrecked ship, the " Meerschaum," her iron 

 stanchions sticking several feet out of the water, and visible 

 as a landmark for a considerable distance. 



Before leaving Fiery Cross Reef, however, I found a tract 

 ?which was not more than three or four feet imder water, and 



cannot alter one word of what I have written. I can only say, that although 

 I do not deny a certain amount of enthusiasm, the scene I witnessed on this 

 reef fully justifies the language I have used in an attempt to describe it. An 

 officer of the ship who was with me, but no naturalist, was equally warm in 

 his expressions of surprise and admiration. 



