11 



ed many fine varieties. Indeed, almost every gale 

 of nind throws up some interesting shells. 



From the interior, near Santa Cniz, also a- 

 bout Santos and Bertiojo, I collected many cu- 

 rious shells; but strange to tell, I have found it 

 difficult to persuade any one to send me another 

 supply, although so easily obtained. No, they 

 think them common, and because they really are 

 so there, they do not bring or send them. 



When at the isle of St. Catherines, and the 

 bays near it, I employed the fishermen to col- 

 lect for me, and obtained from them many va- 

 rieties of shells, sea-eggs, star-fish, coral, and 

 sea-weed, also muscles and land shells from the 

 lagoons, to which I gave the preference. 



In the river Plata I was not equally fortu- 

 nate ; for though a gale, called a Pampero, had 

 left the river dry in many places, from two to 

 three miles in extent, I could discover no shells; 



