row: they may do for
seed, and are good for nothing else any longer--don't you begin to think
this must be an enchanted island, Johnny?"

"O, you may make fun of it, if you please; but it's true: and if you'll
come with me, I'll shew you the trees."

"Well," said Browne, "I am ready for almost any thing in the way of the
marvellous, since having seen a solid and substantial-looking island
turn into a vapour, and vanish away before my very eyes. I shall be
careful about doubting any thing, until I get back to some Christian
country, where things go on regularly. For the present, I am in state
of mind to believe in phoenixes and unicorns--and why not in
oyster-trees? Who knows but we have happened upon a second Prospero's
isle? Lead on, Johnny, and bring us to this wonderful tree." And
Johnny started off accordingly, followed by Browne and Morton.

In a moment the latter was heard calling out, "I say, Max! do you
understand conchology?"

"Yes, enough to tell a bivalve when I see one: should like to have a
`dozen fried' before me now."

"If a `dozen raw' will answer, just step this way, and we'll accommodate
you equal to Florence."

On hastening to the spot, all scepticism as to the "oysters growing on
trees," was speedily removed. A row of mangroves lined the shore for
some distance, each elevated upon its white pile of protruding and
intertwisted roots. Attached to the branches of these trees, which
overhung the water and drooped into it at high tide, were abundance of
fair-sized oysters. Looking down into the water beneath the mangroves,
I perceived the certain indications of an extensive and well-stocked
oyster-bed. The bottom was thickly covered with them, in every stage of
growth multitudes being scarcely larger than a sixpence. I could also
see, through the shallow water, an immense number of little white
specks, like drops of spermaceti, scattered about among them. It was
evident, that here was an abundant and unfailing supply of these
delicious shell-fish.

Browne broke off from one of the trees a large branch, having half a
dozen oysters attached to it, with which he hastened to confront the
unbelieving Max, and flourishing it in his face, demanded to know if he
was "convinced now." Although constrained to admit that they _looked_
very like oysters, Max seemed to consider the evidence of more than one
of the senses necessary to afford satisfactory proof of so extraordinary
a phenomenon, and a