yellow. Besides the large bats, mentioned before, there is also the
common sort.

"The only noxious or disgusting animals of the reptile or insect tribe,
are sea-snakes, three feet long, with black and white circles
alternately, often found on shore; some scorpions, and _centipedes_.
There are fine green _guanoes_, a foot and a half long; another brown
and spotted lizard about a foot long; and two other small sorts. Amongst
the other insects are some beautiful moths, butterflies, very large
spiders, and others, making, in the whole, about fifty different sorts.

The sea abounds with fish, though the variety is less than might be
expected. The most frequent sorts are mullets; several sorts of
parrot-fish; silver-fish; old wives; some beautifully spotted soles;
leather-jackets; bonnetos, and albicores; besides the eels mentioned at
Palmerston's Island, some sharks, rays, pipe-fish, a sort of pike, and
some curious devil-fish.

"The many reefs and shoals on the north side of the island, afford
shelter for an endless variety of shell-fish; amongst which are many
that are esteemed precious in Europe. Such as the true hammer oyster, of
which, however, none could be obtained entire; a large indentated
oyster, and several others, but none of the common sort, panamas, cones,
a sort of gigantic cockle, found also in the East Indies, pearl shell
oysters, and many others, several of which, I believe, have been
hitherto unknown to the most diligent enquirers after that branch of
natural history. There are likewise several sorts of sea-eggs, and many
very fine star-fish, besides a considerable variety of corals, amongst
which are two red sorts, the one most elegantly branched, the other
tubulous. And there is no less variety amongst the crabs and cray-fish,
which are very numerous. To which may be added, several sorts of sponge,
the sea-hare, _holothuriae_, and the like."

SECTION IX.

_A grand Solemnity, called Natche, in Honour of the King's Son,
performed.--The Processions and other Ceremonies, during the first day,
described.--The Manner of passing the Night at the King's
House.--Continuation of the Solemnity, the next Day.--Conjectures about
the Nature of it.--Departure from Tongataboo, and Arrival at
Eooa.--Account of that Island, and Transactions there_.

We were now ready to sail, but the wind being easterly, we had not
sufficient day-light to turn through the narrows, either with the
morning, or with the evening f