They floated quietly in the water, and Trot inquired what they were.
"Balloonfish," answered Merla.

"They are helpless creatures, but have little spikes all over them so their enemies dare not bite them for fear of getting pricked." Trot found the balloonfish quite interesting.

They had little dots of eyes and dots for mouths, but she could see no noses, and their fins and tails were very small.
"They catch these fish in the South Sea Islands and make lanterns of 'em," said Cap'n Bill.

"They first skin 'em and sew the skin up again to let it dry, and then they put candles inside, and the light shines through the dried skin." Many other curious sights they saw in the ocean that afternoon, and both Cap'n Bill and Trot thoroughly enjoyed their glimpse of sea life.

At last Merla said it was time to return to the palace, from which she claimed they had not at any time been very far distant.
"We must prepare for dinner, as it will soon begin to grow dark in the water," continued their conductor.