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Show 1905.] CAPE VERDE MARINE FAUNA. 175 lee of Quail Island * is completely sheltered at all seasons and gradually slopes into the shallow channel. Consequently, this area was very rich, large holothurians being seen here for the first time, and many other fresh forms were added to the collections. At the same time, it has since become clear that the fauna is really identical from north to south, and that the Guinea current is too far away to affect any Islands of the group. Tunny-fishing with rod and line is carried on at Pray a. The boats engaged in this rather exciting work are little tubs holding two men, but which were made to carry three rowers and a passenger in my dredging-expeditions. Although it is said that a big tunny may tow a boat seven or eight miles out to sea, the Text-fig. 24. boats are very roughly constructed, leaks being discovered and roughly caulked every day. On one occasion, when I pointed out a bubbling spring in the bottom of the boat, one of the crew unconcernedly handed over a portion of his trousers with which to plug the leak! Except for the small sheltered area afforded by Quail Island, the shores and bottom of Porto Praya are so like St. Vincent that I took the opportunity of returning there by Portuguese mail, * This islet is memorable, since Darwin made collections on its shores during the voyage of the ‘ Beagle.' P r o c . Z o o l . Soc.- 1905, V o l . I. No. X II. 12 |