THE 
AMERICAN NATURALIST 
Vol. XXIII. NOVEMBER, 1889. 275. 
W^ALKS UNDER THE SEA BY A CORAL STRAND. 
BY F. H. HERRICK, PH.D. 
T VIVIDLY recall a scene which suddenly presented itself 
upon entering one of the broad bights which indent the 
eastern shore of Andros Island, Bahama. Once within the reef, 
which here leaves a wide channel between it and the shore, 
the prospect immediately changed like the shifting of scenery. 
We now sailed in a transparent, almost colorless medium, which 
stretched far away on everj^ side. The sea just left behind 
seemed to rise up and enclose this water-island with a black, im- 
penetrable wall, so great was the change in depth, and so intense 
was the light reflected from the mirror of coral sand on all the 
submerged reefs and banks. Ever and anon this dark ocean-line 
was broken into bars of silver — the glistening foam of breakers, 
which betray unseen and treacherous rocks. These radiant fields 
were pied with dark patches of sea-weed, and dappled with som- 
bre masses of coral and sponge. By this celestial gate one im- 
agines himself to be entering a city, the tops of cocoa-palms and 
other trees which alone are visible on yonder shores, answering 
to the spires and masts of some inland port. 
The scale of colour ever changes with the altitude of the sun, 
with the character of the sea-bottom, and with the clouds, now 
flashing green fire on the horizon, and reflecting many inter- 
mediate tints between it and the crystal water at our feet. The 
