41 
it was in their possession—this ought to stimu- 
late us in our researches. 
WE know nothing of the shells that occur 
on the eastern coast of Africa, until we arrive 
at Zanzibar and Mozambique. The fresh- 
water and land shells cannot fail of being ex- 
tremely interesting. It is to be hoped that 
we shall receive many new species from the 
ships now surveying the coast. The harbour 
and bay of Mozambique, are extremely rich 
in shells, generally the common varieties of 
the Cyprza Tigris, and Bull’s Mouth (Bucci-~ 
num Rufum). The exterior of the latter has a 
stratified appearance when cut, and resembles 
an onyx. Most beautiful figures are carved 
upon it, which closely imitate the finest an- 
tique gems, and are known under the name 
of Shell Cameos: this species of engraving is 
carried to great perfection in Rome. The com- 
G 
