1T4 GREEN STONE. 



and in the shell. The molasses was converted into 

 candy and handed over to the Mauriis, who, until they 

 had disposed of it within their capacious maws, had 

 neither eyes nor ears for anything else. Our dinner 

 ended, we wended our way up the bay. This was a 

 task of no little difficulty, the beach being covered 

 with huge masses of granite, worn smooth by the 

 percolation of water; these were to be ascended, 

 descended, and occasionally circumnavigated, so that 

 several hours were devoted to perambulating but a 

 short distance. Our object was to collect specimens 

 of the green stone, which is washed down from the 

 mountains, and, by the continual friction of the water, 

 assumes a circular and polished shape. This stone 

 is used for ornamental purposes, in the decoration 

 of their persons, by the Chinese and Mauriis — they 

 using it for ear-rings, necklaces, and nose pendants. 

 Half way up to the summit of the mountain that 

 frowns above our barque, as she lies at anchor, there 

 is a quarry of this substance, which I should venture 

 to call serpentine, but for its extreme obtusity. I 

 said that there was a quarry, but I have only the 

 authority of the Mauriis for my assertion ; I went to 

 the spot, and, from observation, decided that if it 

 had been worked, it must have been at some time 

 beyond the recollection of any of my informants. 

 This bay, twenty years ago, was the rendezvous of a 

 sealing party, who successfully operated in their 

 business, living ashore until the rainy season ap- 

 proached, when they boarded their crafts and sailed 

 for home. A whaling company, also, had a try- 

 works ashore, where many a fine jacket of blubber 

 has been converted into oil; as these men might 



