THE ATLANTIC OCEAN. 219 
of the Florida Reef, the crew had been amusing 
themselves with fishing, in which they had been 
very successful. An Osprey (Halicetus ossifragus), 
attracted, doubtless, by the fish that lay in profu- 
sion about the decks, was slowly sailing around, 
occasionally alighting on the ropes and spars. As 
he hovered overhead, turning his head from side to 
side, every feather was distinctly seen; but from 
the reflection of the water beneath, all his under 
parts, which are pure white, appeared of a fine pea- 
green, and it was only on catching a side-glance at 
him, that I discovered his true colour, and identified 
the species. It is very pleasing to peer down into 
the varying depths, especially in the clear waters of 
these seas, and look at the many-coloured bottom; 
sometimes a bright pearly sand, spotted with shells 
and corals; then a large patch of brown rock, whose 
gaping clefts and fissures are but half hidden by the 
waving tangles of purple weed; where multitudes of 
strange creatures revel and riot undisturbed. 
“Come down, come down from the tall ship’s side; 
What a marvellous sight is here! 
Look! purple rocks and crimson trees, 
Down in the deep so clear! 
“See! where those shoals of dolphins go, 
A glad and glorious band; 
Sporting amidst the day-bright woods 
Of a coral fairy land. 
“See! on the violet sands beneath, 
How the gorgeous shells do glide! 
O sea! old sea! who yet knows half 
Of thy wonders and thy pride? 
