The Trepang Fishery. 109 



is found on the inner edge of coral reefs, in from 2 to 10 

 fathoms water, and on the bottom of coral and sand. It 

 can only be procured by diving. 



" 2. Keeskeesan is from 6 to 1 2 inches in length, of an 

 oval shape, quite black, and smooth on the back, with a 

 dark-greyish belly, and one row of teats on each side. 

 When contracted, it is similar in shape to a land tortoise. 

 This quality is found in shallow water, on the top of coral 

 reefs, and on a bottom of coral and sand. Bangkolungan 

 and Keeskeesan fetch about the same price ; and the latter 

 being the most plentiful and easiest caught, ought of course 

 to be the kind most sought after. 



" 3. Talepan varies in length from nine inches to two 

 feet, and presents the most remarkable appearance of any 

 of the species of beche-de-mer. It is found on all parts of 

 the reefs, but chiefly in from two to three fathoms water. 

 It is of a dark-red colour, and narrower in proportion than 

 the before-mentioned kinds. The whole back is covered 

 with large red prickles, which render it easily distinguish- 

 able from any of the other kinds. It is much softer than 

 the black, and more difficult to cure. 



" 4. Munang is of a small size, seldom exceeding eight 

 inches in length, of an oval shape, quite black, and smooth ; 

 has no teats or other excrescences, and is found in shallow 

 water on the coral flats, and often among turtle grass near 

 the shore. This is the kind which the American vessels 

 chiefly procure at the Fiji Islands. It is worth from 15 

 to 25 dollars per picul in the China market. These four 

 varieties form the superior qualities of the slug, and the 

 following are the middling and inferior sorts : 



" 5. Sapatos China is of a reddish-brown colour, and 

 about the same size as the Munang. It presents a wrinkled 

 surface, and is found adhering to the coral rocks on the 



