278 THE CORAL LANDS OF THE PACIFIC. 



result is obtained it is the most precarious kind of merchandise 

 to deal in. The ultimate destiny of most beche-de-mer being 

 the Chinese market, which involves long transport, unless 

 perfectly cured it can never reach the end of its voyage with- 

 out becoming greatly depreciated, and sometimes destroyed 

 altogether by decomposition. Whole cargoes have been thrown 

 away into the sea on the Chinese coasts from this cause, which 

 only arises from ignorance or negligence. It is not only quite 

 possible, but with due care perfectly easy, to preserve beche-de- 

 mer in such a manner that it will keep without injury, not only 

 for a long voyage to China, but for all time. If it is cured 

 thoroughly, beche-de-mer should rattle like a bag of walnuts. 

 If it be shipped in wet weather, or in a vessel with leaky 

 decks, the best plan is to put it into iron tanks, each hold- 

 ing some 300 lb., plastering the lid with white lead. It 

 will then be secure from decay as long as the iron is not 

 penetrated by the atmosphere, which at any rate would not be 

 for some years. If this strange sea-slug be not divested of its 

 juices, or if subjected to damp, or wetted with fresh water, it 

 speedily dissolves itself into a glutinous fluid of an appearance 

 like molasses, to which is added the pleasant odour of decayed 

 eggs. 



There is frequently to be met with among beche-de-mer a 

 marine animal of a very singular aspect. It is called by the 

 natives of Tokolau taumata, or 'skull-cap.' It is about the 

 size of a man's head, or perhaps a little larger. Its shape may 

 be thus described. If you take a square piece of paper and 

 double down the corners in such a manner that the points 

 meet in the middle, that will represent it very nearly, except- 

 ing that the form of the animal is more rounded. The under 

 side where the_, foldings take place lies flat upon the rock 

 or sand ; the upper is concave, and of a reddish-brown 



