268 EXTEACTS FEOM JOURNAL. 



21st. — Heavy thunder-storms are of frequent occur- 

 rence. Sandpipers are beginning to make their appear- 

 ance. Quantities of melons are grown about here in 

 the fields ; some of them excellent. The young phea- 

 sants are in capital condition for shooting; they are 

 almost as large as the old ones, and quite plump. 

 They are hatched earlier than in England, and owing 

 to the greater regularity and warmth of the weather 

 during spring and summer, shoot up quicker. 



26th. — A few grey plover appeared to-day, turnstones 

 and knots, and last night I heard curlew flying overhead. 

 These birds appearing indicate summer is nearly gone. 



30th. — Thermometer 75°. Very heavy rain. 



September \st. — Thermometer 77°. Eain. At low 

 tide scores of women and girls turn out on the rocks to 

 pick up seaweed, crabs, and small fish which have been 

 left in the little pools. Their chief, if not only garment, 

 is usually a large straw hat. How they stand the sun 

 on their backs is a marvel, — being brought up to it 

 from their babyhood, I suppose, in time their heads 

 and skin become naturally thick. I should like to 

 know if the skull of a Japanese is thicker than ours. 

 Temperature quite low to-day to what we have lately 

 had, the thermometer not having been as low as 77° 

 for many a long day. 



