24 
NATURE NOTES. 
IN THE ANTILLES. 
HERE is one point which this hut has in common with 
the houses of the ancient Romans — it has a large and 
efficient “ impluvium ” in the centre, besides several 
subsidiary ones of less regularity in action. Their 
operations have driven me to a constant moving about of the 
furniture, which is no great task any way except that it has to 
be done at all hours. It would have occurred to anyone else, 
no doubt, to mend the roof, even without ulterior designs of a 
claim for “ betterment ” against the landlord. Suppose it were 
mended, the great question of smoke abatement would then be 
with me face to face — the construction of a chimney, and who 
knows where such modern improvements would lead one ? But 
in this tropical country, why not do your cooking out of doors ? 
— I think I hear someone say. \Vhy not? — because it has 
rained since I came until this morning, in that particular kind 
of wa}" that does not tempt anyone to do his cooking or anything 
else out of doors. However, the sun has come out “ regardless,” 
and is doing his cooking at all events, to judge b}^ the volumes 
of steam and other vapours rolling from the land round the bay 
and wrapping the headlands in thin shreds of mist through 
which the rock gleams in places like the blazing shield of sea. 
A boat has come for me from H.M.S. Bloater, and while the jars, 
bottles, and dredging tackle are being packed up, the men con- 
verse outside. The subject is a dispute that has been engross- 
ing the ship’s compan}'’ and creating faction among them — 
What kind of an animal is a turtle ? and I gather it is going to 
be referred to me for settlement. There are three views, it 
appears, each of which has engaged a considerable body of 
adherents. The first view is daring enough — viz., that the turtle 
is a kind of bird, and this idea is supported by the argument 
that it lays eggs ; and that, since the whale, though it lives in 
the sea, is not a fish, so likewise the turtle's zoological character 
is not to be prejudiced by this habit. The second view is simple, 
and has proved a favourite. The turtle, according to this theory, 
has a shell and lives in the sea, and is therefore plainly a shell- 
fish. The third school says that it is “ a beast like an}’ other 
beast ” (meaning a mammal), since “you can cut it up and take 
steaks out of it.” I foresaw certain trouble, and all morning 
I have been dreading having the arguments laid before me. At 
last it comes upon me when I light my pipe in an interval of 
dredging, and I am asked, “ What kind of crittur, in a manner 
of speaking,” a turtle is. “ A turtle,” I said, “ is a reptile.” 
They were the most astonished sailors I ever saw, and I 
knew that presently I should be in for it. The objections to my 
view break out at intervals all afternoon, but I fancy they 
are finally convinced. I contrive to dispose of the bird theory 
by reminding them that serpents lay eggs. Whereupon I am 
told it has got legs — and of course the alligator and lizards 
