Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1893-05-24
BY c. F. GORDON CUMMINGS.

We have been spending n delightful
.fterncon on a coral-reef; but | despair
of being able to convey to yOu, even
the vaguest idea of its fascination. L
do not know whether it Is most attrac-
tive when seen from afar, or when we
are actually floating over 1t, and look
down through clear crystalline water,
to the sea-8ardens beneath us.
When seen from the hilly ground
above, the coral-reef appears like a
submarine rainbow of indescribable
loveliness, encIrcling the harbor, and
dividing its vivid blue from the purply
indigo shades of the great ocean be-
yond. The belt of mingled cOrals, sea-
weeds, and white sand, lying at irreg-
ular depths, beneath shallow film of
emerald green water produces every
shade of mauve, sienna, orange and
aqua marine, all marvellOusly blended,
and these shades are constantly vary
ing with the ebb and flow of the tide,
for at high water the reef is covered to
the depth OF several feet. while at low
tide, large patches are left almost dry,
and il you are cOGtent to take your
chance of a good wetting, you can
land, and explore it all at your leIs-
ure.
But it is not pleasant walking, for
the sharp coral spikes break under
your feet, and you may very likely
land in 6 deep rock pool, amongst
most inhosritable creatures, bristllng
with spines or else armed with sharp
teeth, or unpleasant stings.
The highest edge of the reef lies
towards the ocean, and here the huge
green breakers wage ceeseless war
against the mighty barrier, for ever
rolling in, nld dsshiDg against the
coral wall with deafening roar. So the
outer brink of the reef is always mark
ed bv a line of dazzling white surf,
and as you approach it even on a calm
dsY, you perceive that the waves seem
higher and grander than those which
break on our own shores. 1t is always
an anxious moment when we have to
sail from one island to another, and
must pass through the narrow opening,
by which alone we can leave the calm
lake-like waters within the reef, and
90 out to the great sea, for often this
natural gateway is so narrow, that the
huge waves breaking on either side,
seem as though they must overwhelm
NJ.
In order II enjoy the reef, the first
essential is to 90 in boat which draws
very little wafer, and has no new paint
TO be considered 1t is better still TO
go in a native canoe, which of itself is
a most picturesque object, ado ned Mt
both ends with white shells, like
poached eggs lCypren OUgn mis-. L!
carries a large triangular sal of yellow
mating, with streamers of native cloth
floating from the upper corner, to &C
as flag. The canoe ID balanced by q
large outrigger, that is 70 say beam
of wood or part OF e cocoa-nut stem,
which floats along side, and Is attached
to the canoe by bamboos
When such canoes as these return
from fishing expedition, and the stsl
wart brown men, and lassies with
their well-conbed fuzzy heads, and
light drapery, eked out with garlslds
of bright -coiored leR-es) come ashore
with their baskets full OF all manner of
curious fish, they form PIctu.., such
as would delight an artist. Should
they have had the luck to captlre
turtle, they announce the triumph long
ere they reach tn land, by beating a
lsli or great wooden drum, made OF
. followed tree, which they strike with
two pieces of wood, predicting a deep
booming tone.
But the most ordinary days fishing
must produce something stl ,nge and
beaut ful, for tine nets bring up all
manner of creatures of cIriO-s form
and gorgeous Inc. The commonest of
all are the great big g-header parrot fish
Scarus, which have long bouy beaks
and strong white teeth speCi.- : adapt
ed for cruncEinG the coral on which
they feed.
Strange TO say there arc certain
seasons when the COAL ia sid to be
"In flower, mt which perIOo the fish
which have eaten j., become exceeding
" unwholesome, poisonous In fact.
So confess that l always eat these
radiant fish with some qpalmf lest it
hou.I chance to he tneir poisonous
stage; many persons have suhe. ed Sc
verely from the cause. But as study
cf rich colors these fish arc magnif-
cent Some are pure scarlet or shaded
with crimson, others are purple and
green, and the fishers basket probably
contains others of bright gol !,
marked wi b bars or spots of black,
and sllvery fiat eels like flashing
sIor;s.
BL: to see marine creatures in their
beauty, you must visit their hom,s.
and let your boat drift over the coral
BIDS, when the tide is low and the
sea without q ripple. Then, indeed,
lou will gain glimpse of Wonde-' nd
as you peer down thorough the crystal
waters into the lovely coral gardens