18 
CHAPTER II. 
Laud-Crabs and Tiger-Beetles — Inliabitants of an Aloe — Ferns and 
Flowers — Insects attracted by a Liglitliouse — A Useful Aloe — 
Rockwork — Katnral Afiuariums— Crabs at Dinner — The Hidden 
Waters — A Negi’o JIarket — The Gold Bug, 
To one who delights in the study of the plieno- 
mena of nature, in observing the various forms of 
animal life, in learning the habits and peculiarities 
of the infinite variety of living creatures, this 
country is peculiarly interesting. When I for the 
first time left the crowded town, and wandered 
along the beach, or penetrated and surveyed the 
surrounding country, the spectacle on which I 
looked was at once interesting and exciting. ]\Iy 
eye, hitherto so long unaccustomed to see tropical 
forms of animals and plants, except in the un- 
satisfactory and oftentimes distorted condition of 
those in the glass-cases of our Museums, was de- 
lighted with the strange sea-eggs, and their no less 
