SCENE BY STARLIGHT. 
13 
air, by the action of the pectorals — a true flight, 
those connected with the geographical distribution 
of the species are worthy of notice. The common 
Atlantic species, which I take to be volitans, suddenly 
appeared in considerable numbers in long. 41°, or 
just midway between Africa and the West Indies. 
They continued to be abundant until within a day’s 
sail of Antigua, where they were replaced by the 
little Blue-backs, and were seen no more. This 
beautiful little species suddenly became quite as 
abundant as the former had been, and so continued 
until we neared Hayti. The great Black-winged 
kind appeared three days to windward of Antigua, 
and continued to appear, conjointly with the Blue- 
back, but rarely more than two or three in a day. 
The last seen w^as near the west end of Hayti. 
One morning I rose at three to enjoy the delight- 
ful coolness of the scene by starlight. The watch 
were all seated on the booms beneath the shadow of 
the boats amidships, and the only living being visible 
on deck was the man at the wheel, and he did his 
easy work silent and motionless. The white sails 
were bellying out before the gallant trade-wind, and 
the rushing of the bows through the little waves, 
and the rustling of the water beneath the quarter, 
were the only sounds to be heard. The sky was 
almost cloudless; Orion, in glittering splendour, — 
armatus auro Orion,” — was nearly in the zenith ; 
Ursus major had just risen from his ocean bath, no 
longer answering to the ancient description, — 
“ "ApKTog 
Oitj S’ aixfiopog iari Xoerpojv ’QKeavoto,” — 
