J 
Wetmore—Journal 6 
The sand se ems to hold a considerble amount of moisture at all times. The veil 
dug on our first arrival has cleared and is not palatable though somewhat yellowish 
in color. It was dug six feet deep and has about two feet of water in. it. 
As I left camp this morning day was just breaking. Most of the Albatross had gone to 
sea to fish but there was much activity amongthe shearwaters.. .Two Laysan Teal 
•9 
waded about for a timein one of the pools &from a recent rain] and then came over and 
went to sleep in the sun within forty feet of me. A Laysan Finch hopped all about 
me at a distance of four feet peering up curiously and then coming up behind hitched 
slowly ;up the fold in my hunting coat until it reached my shoulder and then startled 
flew away. Shearwaters were all about. The Christmas Island species sought the shade 
of the rock piles as the sun came up. Myriad. Sooty Terns kept up their continual clatter 
while the Hawaiian, Gray-backs, and Noddies in smaller numbers were in the foreground. 
Behind me the Blue-faced Boobies squawked hoarsely at intervals. 
The Sesuvium has a tiny flower that exhales a scent pleasing to the nostrils. In early 
morning I can sometimes get this odor at a distance of half a mile. 
May 12 —Grant came in at supper time and reported a large seal, sighted first last 
night as still asleep...1. shot it. The bullet'struck it squarely through the spinal cord 
apparently as the animal merely jerked with the first shock and then was dead save for 
a faint muscular palpitation over the body. Like others seen it was lying asleep. 
It had scooped a furrow with its head three feet long and a foot wide to receive the 
breast and lay prostrate as usual. We rolled it higher on the beach to auoid the 
surf and in its new position I was able to appreciate the value of the furrow as 
on the level sand pressure on the breast arched the neck and back vertebrae to an 
extent that must have been uncomfortable. The animal was a female and very aid as 
the teeth were much worn. The mouth cavity gave off a disagreeable odor when opened. 
There were a number of scars on the body, apparently from coral. 
The [lagoon] waters contained a heavy concentration of salt, nearly to saturation 
- -'- - - 
T- 
— 
