In some of the gullies and hollows there were beautiful
green and other coloured fishes, and the form and tints of many of
the zoophytes were admirable. It is excusable to grow enthusiastic
over the infinite numbers of organic beings with which the sea of
the tropics, so prodigal of life, teems; yet I must confess I think
those naturalists who have described, in well-known words, the
submarine grottoes decked with a thousand beauties, have indulged
in rather exuberant language.
APRIL 6, 1836.
I accompanied Captain Fitz Roy to an island at the head of the
lagoon: the channel was exceedingly intricate, winding through
fields of delicately branched corals. We saw several turtle and two
boats were then employed in catching them. The water was so clear
and shallow, that although at first a turtle quickly dives out of
sight, yet in a canoe or boat under sail the pursuers after no very
long chase come up to it. A man standing ready in the bow at this
moment dashes through the water upon the turtle's back; then
clinging with both hands by the shell of its neck, he is carried
away till the animal becomes exhausted and is secured. It was quite
an interesting chase to see the two boats thus doubling about, and
the men dashing head foremost into the water trying to seize their
prey.
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