31 
Islands, Formosa, and the entrance of Can- 
‘ ton river, produce rare shells. The scarce 
varieties of the Nautilus are from the coast of 
Japan. The productions of these seas may be 
bought at the small shops in Canton, and are 
often vended by itinerant dealers. Ifany of the 
commanders or officers of our ships would em- 
ploy an intelligent fisherman to collect land 
and fresh-water shells, he might, for a few dol- 
lars, depend upon obtaining very many inter- 
esting shells, for which he would be amply re- 
munerated upon his return. The very com- 
monest productions of the Chinese seas have 
been neglected, (probably from their gene- 
ral occurrence or uninviting appearance), al- 
though desirable in this country; while, on the 
other hand, carved Nautili, and large green 
shells, which have been polished, to display their 
pearly lustre, have been bought with avidity, 
but have failed: to repay the collector, or grati- 
fy the connoisseur, 
