- 47 - 
Ihese islands form a connecting link; between the Hawaiian Islands 
and Palmyra, Fanning, and other groups to the south near the Equator* 
It seemed distinctly warmer than farther north and those engaged in 
studying the marine life found in the surrounding waters an interesting 
blending of northern and southern groups. 
It was fascinating indeed to go out over the outer reefs at night 
with a water glass (a box or pail with a glass bottom that* thrust in the 
water* gives vision unolouded by reflection or ripples), and a flashlight* 
Broad flats covered with a few inches of water are filled with six or 
eight species of corals of variety of shape and form. Beeper openings 
four or five feet across form natural aquaria for a multitude of fishes* 
many of odd form and the majority beautiful with almost unbelievable 
brilliancy of oolor. Strange eels lurk; beneath coral ledges and everywhere 
sprawl huge repulsively black: sea-cucumbers (holothuriana) a foot long and 
two or three inches in diameter* At low tide one may walk; for long distances 
along the exposed masses of coral with waves breaking a short distance away* 
large handsome shells and multitudes of sea-urchins covered with spines are 
revealed in the dancing beam of light and occasionally the eyes of a spiny 
lobster shine out like diamonds. These^ a delicacy in the market, were so 
<JYJL fcn*A. 
abundant on asome of our islands that enough were secured to feed our shore 
/V 
party and the ship's company of sixty men* 
