340 BICHE DE MER. [1840. 



mer, or sea slug, is the most highly prized of the animals of 

 this genus. It is from two to nine inches in length, resembles 

 a caterpillar in its motions, and feeds by suction. There are 

 several different sorts, and they are of various colors, being 

 red, white, gray, yellow, brown or black. They live among 

 the rocks and in the holes of the coral reefs, where the water 

 is from one to two fathoms deep, and are caught by the na- 

 tives, who either dive for them, or fish by moonlight or torch- 

 light. Traders frequently visit the islands, and make arrange- 

 ments with a prominent chief for the services of the natives 

 in procuring the desired supply. After the animals are 

 caught, they are placed in bins, where their entrails are 

 ejected ; the next process is to cut them open, and they are 

 then boiled, and thoroughly dried in a building erected for the 

 purpose by the person engaged in the fishery. When 

 completely cured in this manner, they are fit for market, and 

 find a ready sale in China, where they are esteemed as one 

 of the richest ingredients of their soups. Some of the species 

 of biche de mer are eaten raw by the natives of the Feejee 

 Group. 



There is an abundance of singing birds in the group. 

 There are parrots and parroquets, of the most beautiful and 

 richly variegated plumage. Wild duck's and pigeons, too, are 

 quite common. All the different kinds of sea fowl usually 

 seen in the Polynesian groups, may be found on the coasts. 



(5.) A disciple of Lavater would form a pretty correct idea 

 of the Feejee Islander from his physiognomy. The remark- 

 able prominence of the cheek bones, and the projection of the 

 jaws, indicative of the coarse and animal natures of the pos- 

 sessors, would not escape notice. The organs of taste and 

 smell are unusually developed. In their countenances the 

 distinctive features of the Malay and the Papuan seem to be 

 blended. There are different shades of complexion, generally 

 many degrees darker than that of the Tonga Islander, some 

 being as fair as the lightest mulatto, and others dark as the 

 sootiest negro. Their foreheads are high, but often narrow ; 

 their noses well-formed, though large ; and their teeth white 



