May 1854 Hong Kong, China in a bay of Hong Kong Island, near by, and were just starting on an inland tramp, when it began to rain violently, and we was forced to return on board. Mr Wright however got a few plants and sea-weeds and I secured a Papuan new to me. We proposed to anchor here for- the night, but the China-men on board fearing the nocturnal attacks of the evil- disposed and piratical inhabitants in the vicinity insisted on running over to the main-land, into a little bay where there is a fishing village where inhabitants are true men,- which we accordingly did, taking our supper on the way. Never was tea so greatful to me as now, when ones appe- tite is roused natural by a day of healthful labor, in the delightful pursuit of the little-known denizens of the deep sea. We had hardly come to anchor in the little bay, before Pelkey reported the "Burn-boat along side"!! Mr Wright and my- selves went ashore for a few minutes, to have a look at the place. He got a few seaweeds and sponges, while I shot a small bird in the bushes and one of our Chinese crew found a crab new to me. May 1854 Hong Kong, China Our men (Pelkey and Small) kept strict watches during the night, while Mr W. and myself re- tired into the cabin, which was clean and com- modious, but I confess I did not sleep much myself, from anxiety arising from being in such a miscreant neighborhood. Thursday, May 4th. We got underway at dawn, according to my orders given the preceding evening, and when I arose we were near the point of Hong Kong Island. The breeze was light S.W. but steady: (it continued to blow from S.W. during the great part of the cruise.) The water was smooth, and the day delightfully pleasant, and we sailed slowly along picking up floating dr. fishes from the surface with our dip net. We passed to the Northward of Lochoo, and between Maylan and Poorkoo. Seeing some boats fish- ing off Poortoy we stood to the Southward and boarded them, getting some curious fishes of different kinds used for food. The fisher- men used the Pollicipes so abundant on the rocks between tides, both for food and for bait. We then landed Mr Wright at the N. end of Poortoy, where I also landed my- selves, but soon found the sun too power.