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quest, an expert negro to go into the interior, 
to collect land and fresh-water shells. The 
man was absent about a week, and collected a 
box full of Helices, commonly termed Snail- 
shells, and muscles: these were packed with 
refuse cotton, and the whole expense did not 
exceed six dollars. I cannot too strongly re- 
commend the hiring of fishermen or clever ne- 
groes, (who should be liberally remunerated), 
to collect as well as to pack; and thus free 
their employers from any trouble. 
THE land shells and muscles which may be 
found over the whole of the vast territories of 
Essequibo, Surinam, and Cayenne, are very 
desirable. I would amply repay any one for 
what he might bring from the interior of those 
countries: the rivers, lakes, &c. are extreme- 
ly productive. 
Or the shells from the Amazons, the great 
