MOONLIGHT. 
297 
but yet were fierce, turning on the hand and drawing 
blood with their acute little canines. The eyes were 
rather larger and fuller than usual, and at evening 
shone brightly ; but by day they were, for the most 
part, nearly or wholly covered by the eyelids. I 
found this Bat infested with a few winged insect- 
parasites of small size and buff colour {Strehla ves- 
pertilionis) which flew away from among its fur even 
while it was alive. 
MOONLIGHT. 
There is something exceedingly romantic in the 
nights of the tropics. It is pleasant to sit on the 
landing-place at the top of the flight of steps in 
front of Bluefields House, after night has spread her 
“ purple wings ” over the sky, or even to lie at full 
length on the smooth stones ; it is a hard bed, but 
not a cold one, for the thick flags, exposed to the 
burning sun through the day, become thoroughly 
heated, and retain a considerable degree of warmth 
till morning nearly comes again. The warmth of the 
flat stones is particularly pleasant, as the cool night 
breezes play over the face. The scene is favourable 
for meditation ; the moon, “ walking in brightness,” 
gradually climbing up to the very centre of the deep 
blue sky, sheds on the grassy sward, the beasts, lying 
down here and there, the fruit-trees, the surrounding 
forest, and the glistening sea spread out in front, 
a soft but brilliant radiance unknown to the duller 
regions of the north. The babbling of the little 
rivulet, winning its seaward way over the rocks and 
pebbles, comes like distant music upon the ear, of 
