THE INLAND SEA KEViSlTED. 55 



numerous narrow channels between them. After pass- 

 ing the Kurusima, more open water is reached, with 

 islands only here and there. One of these, called Uri, 

 a very small grass-covered dumbbell-shaped islet, is 

 right in the track. In days gone by, it was the deer- 

 preserve of a Daimio living on Sikok; but, unfor- 

 tunately, one of our gallant naval captains heard of the 

 place being well stocked with deer, which was quite 

 sufficient for his sportsmanlike propensities. He 

 anchored his ship close to the island, and landed about 

 a company of blue-jackets armed with Snider rifles. 

 The wretched deer were driven from end to end, back- 

 wards and forwards, and nearly all kiUed or wounded. 

 On hearing of this visit of English sportsmen (!) to his 

 preserve, the owner sent men to the island with orders 

 to exterminate the few remaining animals ; but notwith- 

 standing such persecution, when I quitted Japan there 

 were still a few left, and if no more such gallant 

 shooters have been there, doubtless there are now a 

 good many. From Uri to the western end of the sea 

 the water is still more open ; all the islands passed lie 

 on the north side, and some way from the usual track. 

 Hime Sima, a cone-shaped island, is famed for a strong 

 mineral spring. A most beautiful species of large 

 butterfly flourishes on the island, which is rare else- 



