260 ALONG THE FLORIDA REEF. 



excellent homes for innumerable and resplendent 

 small fry. When the boat was pushed nearer, 

 the great black roots were seen to fairly blossom 

 with these animated flowers. Some were yel- 

 low, blue, and brown, with ej^es of beautiful 

 hues, and others, not angel-fishes, were of a most 

 intense blue. All moved about with great delib- 

 eration, and flashed here and there like living 

 ijems. 



" If we only had the seine ! " whispered 

 Harry, as if fearful of disturbing the living pano- 

 rama before them. 



" Why not go and get it ? " suggested 

 Tom. 



" My proposition," said the doctor, " is that 

 we come out to-night and haul the seine by 

 moonlight." 



This being decided upon, the oars were re- 

 sumed, and the boat went rushing through the 

 water toward the fort, accompanied by the pet 

 pelican that had espied them from afar an 1 

 joined them, expecting its supper. It was always 

 hungry. 



The nights on the reef were often almost 



