Page:Popular Science Monthly Volume 29.djvu/831

Rh heads the oysters which were growing in great clusters on the roots and branches of the trees. The clear water was filled with fishes of strange forms and brilliant colors, and they were perfectly fearless, so that they could be examined without difficulty, as they chased and captured their food among the submerged roots. The bottom was thickly covered with beautiful sea-anemones, and everywhere, on the bottom, on the roots and branches of the trees, and on the rocks at the water's edge, we found a wealth of mollusks and Crustacea, which soon taught us to regard the mangrove-thickets as rich collecting-grounds. We were, however, unable to penetrate through it to the land until we discovered a little cove, where the bushes had been cut down. Pushing the boat into this, we reached an open, grassy landing-place, shaded by two or three cocoanut-trees, and surrounded by a dense forest except at one point, where a narrow path led up the hill to the house.

The front was at first a stronger attraction than the house, and one of the first objects to catch the eye was a great mass of epiphytic orchids on a dead branch close to our landing-place. The species is not one that is prized by orchid cultivators, but the plant, which was much more luxuriant than those which are seen in greenhouses, and in full bloom with flowers which diffused a delightful fragrance through the woods, was gathered just before our return to Baltimore, and was safely carried home, and is now here in full vigor and beauty, a living memento of our first landing on a coral island.

As we were unable to penetrate the thicket without great labor, the party soon made its way along the path up the hill to the old house, which was critically examined as to its fitness for a laboratory and home for our party of seven. It proved to be a one-story frame house, without windows or floor, but out-of-doors the surroundings were all that a naturalist could wish. The exposed side commanded a view of the island and harbor, while the other three sides were surrounded by a dense growth of shade and fruit trees, which had been planted by the absent owner. We also found a large stone cistern shaded by palms and tamarind-trees and orange-bushes, and filled with good water.

We had been informed that there were no vacant houses in the town, and, although this one was very small and not at all suitable for work with the microscope, a residence in this cool and elevated place in the heart of the forest seemed so attractive that the discovery that it swarmed with mosquitoes did not dampen our enthusiasm; and, even after the fine general view of the island, which we obtained from the hill behind it, had shown us that we were separated from the town and from the nearest house by a long, winding sound, and should be compelled to go three or four miles for our supplies, we still felt that the attractions of this retired spot would overbalance all the disadvantages in case no better house could be found in the town.

When the excursionists returned to the schooner, however, they