280 
SIMONOSEKI. 
were given them, and really, in their purblind way, 
they seemed to relish them as much as they did 
their slippery living prey. 
One of the sailors, when exhibiting them to his 
gaping companions, incautiously handled the big 
one, which, obviously indignant, turned suddenly, 
and severely lacerated his hand. His comrades, 
believing the wound to be dangerous, for they 
imagine these reptiles to be very venomous, showed 
great sympathy for him in his calamit}", but beyond 
the temporary inconvenience, no serious conse- 
quence resulted. 
Simonoseki is charmingly situated at the entrance 
of the Inland Sea. It consists of a sin ole street 
O 
nearly two miles long, stretched at the base of the 
steep, low, thickly-wooded hills which extend 
along the shore of this portion of Niphon. As we 
approached the town, sounds of wiki music greeted 
the ear, and as we anchored within a stone’s throw 
of the houses, a novel and attractive scene was 
presented to our view. The quaint and cleanly 
houses were gaily decorated with flags and many- 
