The West- Indies do not produce many of 

 what are termed rare shells*. I have picked 

 up fine conchs, sea-fans, and weed, all over the 

 coast of Jamaica, and in the interior some in- 

 teresting land and lagoon shells. 



A FRIEND of mine, a commander of a ship, 

 who went to Demerara, employed at my request 

 an expert negro to go into the Interior to col- 

 lect land and firesh water shells. The man 

 was absent a week, and collected a bos. full of 

 what are termed snail-shells, and muscles; these 

 were packed with refuse cotton, and the whole 

 expense did not exceed six dollars. And let me 

 here recommend the traveller to hire a fish- 

 erman, or clever negro, (who ought to be well 

 remunerated on his return), to collect, as well 



« The CuUectums of shdis, m fine boxes, which are sold in 

 the West-Indies, are too contemptible to notice ; they can onlj 

 idease mere nonces. 



