45 
seen large heaps collected on the beach, and 
small vessels loading with a peculiar species of 
them, which pass for currency in Africa, and 
some parts of India. 
TuE Isles of Bourbon and France are high- 
ly and deservedly celebrated for shells—and 
it may be remarked, that whatever is produ- 
eed there, is the most beautiful of its species. 
The famous Manteau of St. Jaques is fished 
up from the numerous coral reefs on some 
parts of the coast. The regret we have so 
often had occasion to express, does not apply 
to the officers and men garrisoned in these 
islands. They, on the contrary, employ much 
of their leisure time in fishing for Harps and 
Olives, which they effect by means of a baited 
hook, and a line upwards of a thousand yards 
long. Of course, the shells that are brought 
up from so great a depth, not having been ex- 
