A RACE WITH A WATERSPOUT. 87 



from the Maldive Islands in great numbers, and 

 sent to the African coast, where they are taken 

 as money. About three thousand of them are 

 equal to fifty cents ; so when yon go there have 

 your pockets made large. The orange cowry is 

 another valuable species, and is used to distin- 

 guish the chiefs of the Friendly Islands." 



The party now left Bush Key, and were 

 wading over the submerged fringing reef that 

 separated the lagoon from the deep waters be- 

 yond, Long John poling the Hosetta along, on 

 the lookout for craw-fish near them, and occa- 

 sionally coming in to receive some specimen too 

 large to carry. As Tom attempted to pick up a 

 big black echinus, or sea-urchin, he uttered an 

 exclamation of pain, some of the needle-like 

 spines having pierced his unwary fingers. 



"They belong to the star-fish family," the 

 doctor explained, as Tom nursed the wounded 

 hand. "There is another of the same branch," 

 pointing to a large worm-like animal coiled in a 

 pool. 



" Take it, Dick ; one is enough for me. I 

 won't be selfish ! " said Tom dryly. 



