jellyfish. A land bird flew on board today.

In 26 degrees north latitude we entered a portion of the sea covered with
patches of seaweed, around which swarmed numerous eel-like fish, crabs,
shrimps, and little blue fish; these last swam under those floating
islands, sometimes leaving them for a little distance, but they always
returned or swam to another: the crabs crawled in and out amongst the
seaweed, and other fish of a large size came to these spots to deposit
their spawn, so that we were in an archipelago of floating islands
teeming with busy inhabitants and animal enjoyment.

August 21.

There were a great many crabs of different kinds and sizes caught today;
two kinds of shrimps, one marked across with alternate striae of silver
and dark brown; it had no antennae, and had apparently been hurt, as I
could only see some very short legs; the rest appeared to be of the same
kind as others recently caught, except being of a lighter colour. Some
eel-fish of the same kind as yesterday. There were two other small blue
insects caught; unfortunately none have been preserved as they were put
in the same glass with the shrimps and were instantly eaten by them. The
crabs also ate two small blue fish that were caught. No jellyfish were
seen.

August 24.

Some of the eel-like fish, two or three shrimps, a new species of dypha,
various kinds of crabs, and a large species of Physalis, were caught
today.

August 25.

Caught various kinds of crabs, some minute shells, and a small curious
insect, quite new to me, of a bright blue colour; the shrimps appear to
be very fond of these insects, seizing them the instant they are put into
the glass with them. We caught shrimps of all colours and sizes, many of
them very beautiful; some were of a pale gold colour with bright blue
spots; others with different shades of brown, and blue, white, or red
spots. They all turned a dark red on being put into spirits. The smaller
kinds had a round ball or excrescence on one side just below the head. I
observed today that the eel-fish carries its eggs in a bag under the
belly; the eggs were of a bright red colour. Two barnacles were caught;
also a new and very remarkable fish.

August 28.

Caught today two of the fish of the same kind as the one taken on the
25th. It had a dorsal fin with 14 spines; a ventral fin; a tail, 16
spines; and in addition to these it had four pectoral fins resembling the
claws of a frog, which it used much in t