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Transcription
178
October 1854
Bonin Islands.
19th In the morning we beat up to Port Lloyd.
The pilot (An American named Horton) boarded us
outside, coming off in a canoe of the kind used
here—made of boards and having an outrigger.
As soon as we had anchored I took the Dugui
and pulled about to have a look at the
place. Near the ship a ledge of rocks was
passed, which was partly uncovered at the
highest tides: between this and the shore was
a shallow basin filled with coral, the high-
er branches of which just reached the surf-
ace at low water. I landed on the beach
behind the basin, and found a few crabs etc.
among the stones—not much however, as the
tide was well in. On this beach are the
residences of most of the inhabitants, placed
near the shore although generally hidden
among the trees. Large hermit crabs were
creepping about on the ground in great num-
bers.
After pulling about the harbor awhile I
get a haul of the dredge in tow faltings,
coral bottom, finding a pretty new Donin,
and a curious minuteae ulmiculifores Ascidia.
20th In the morning the ship's Seine was
hauled in a core, but only two fishes
179
October 1854
Bonin Islands
were taken;—a spotted yellow Serranias and a
Pterois. At low water I went in the Dugui
to the ledge mentioned yesterday, and got some
large red-spined Acroeladis, two other kinds of
sea-urchins, a large red racer-crab (Plagusia)—of
several specimens were chased and caught by the
men—and a variety of Holoturiads among
the coral. On this as on other days when I had
Ship's men with me, it was necessary to return
to the Ship at 12 o'clock for the men's, at 3 for
my own dinner, and at five for the
men's supper; so that I could not make
very long excursions. At first however this
was very convenient, enabling me to stow
away the very numerous specimens, which
spoil soon in so hot a climate as this.
Among pebbles and stones on the shore opposite
the anchorage (the village or base-line beach)
I got a large number of small invertebrate.
This evening the Seine was hauled with
greater success: Multitudes of Mullet and
a few Carangoid fish were taken, of which
I saved specimens and noted the colors.
21st Mr Carter (our Master) went very early to
"South Head" and shot a goat. After breakfast
I went and collected at that place, and