59 
the guard-boat escorting the dingy ; and on the matter 
being reported to the Admiral, he ordered H.M.S. “ Dingy” 
to be anchored in the line in her station as seventh ship, 
and, on this being done, the fleet were informed that the 
dingy had taken Fleet No. 7; next that No. 7 was in 
quarantine, and that the remaining ships were not to com- 
municate with her. 
So the poor “dingy,” with her crew, inclusive of parrot, 
remained anchored in discomfort, but in importance, while 
a large yellow flag floated over her bows, until—well, 
nothing further has been logged. 
Cape Verde Islands. 
According to the census of 1878, the Cape Verde islands, 
ten in number, situated about 320 miles from the coast of 
Africa, contained a population of 99,318. In 1881 the 
British subjects were 89. 
The growing importance of St. Vincent as a coaling 
station is well known. 
Although the manufacture of salt forms an important 
industry in some of the islands, yet the absence of pro- 
tected anchorages has no doubt interfered with the de- 
velopment of a fish industry. From the remarks on the 
Canaries it will be gathered that the fishing grounds of 
the Cape Verde islands are worked by vessels of the 
former archipelago. 
It is stated of the coral, that although “considerable 
quantities of good quality are found in the neighbourhood 
of the islands, nevertheless the Portuguese inhabitants — 
appear to take but little interest in this remunerative 
business, and the fisheries are entirely conducted by Italian 
and Spanish firms.” 
