40 
ship for the discovery of some rare exotic plants, 
minerals, &c. 
THE extensive island of Madagascar is high- 
ly deserving of attention: its coasts abound 
with shells, particularly Buccina, Cypree, 
Strombi, Murices, and Chitons; and it is pro- 
bable that its rivers produce Muscles, some of 
which might prove to be new species; but of 
these, as well as of the land shells, we have at 
present no information. It also produces Gold, 
highly diaphanous rock crystal, with various 
other minerals; and insects and birds of extra- 
ordinary beauty. It is much to be regretted, 
that an island so interesting to the Concholo- 
gist, Mineralogist, and Entymologist, should 
have remained so long unexplored by us. The 
French have derived many fine specimens from 
thence, in these three departments of natural 
history, which were collected during the time 
