In the transparent waters on the inner reef, a great variety of the living coral was found in all its beauty, imitating the growth of the forest on a small scale.

At P.M.we got under way, and stood in and anchored under the south side of the larger island in nine fathoms, and moored ship with an open hawse to the north.
We entered by the S.E.passage between the south and the north islands.

The barque followed us, coming in by the S.W.
passage between the south and the west islands, and anchored a little to the S.E.of us.

Our anchorage is open to the S.E., but at this season it does not blow from that quarter, and probably would not bring in much sea if it did.

We feel very comfortable to-night in snug berth.
_Thursday, December 25th_ .-- Christmas-day!--the second Christmas since we left our homes in the Sumter.