THE INLAND SEA EEVISITED. 4 1 



muzumees, who rushed to my rescue, each with a 

 bucket of cold water, I should at least have resembled 

 a boiled lobster for some time afterwards. On visiting 

 the island next morning, I found, amongst other 

 marine curiosities, which women and children collected 

 at low tide, and presented for sale, as souvenirs of the 

 sacred spot, several backs of the big crab I was in 

 search of, — so many, in fact, that they were used as 

 receptacles for sponges, shells, etc. This was en- 

 couraging. On inquiry, I found that formerly they 

 were frequently caught attached to the fishing-lines, 

 and also to the nets ; but alas ! for a long time not 

 one had been seen. A cave goes right into the 

 heart of the island from the south side. About 

 eighty yards from the entrance a clear hot sulphur 

 spring runs down the side of the cave and forms a 

 deep well on the flooring. The water of this spring, 

 being good for cutaneous affections, is much prized 

 by the people in the neighbourhood. From the 

 number of rest-houses, temporary tea-houses, and sheds 

 which were erected on the island, it evidently was a 

 favourite resort of the Japanese. The following day 

 I turned homewards, taking a long roimd through the 

 lovely country. The weather was charming, bright, 

 clear, and cool, with a warm sun. I saw a fresh 



