33 



immersed in holes which they scoop out -within chalk, lime- 

 stones, wood, &c., which must be broken or split to discover 

 the enclosed shells. Pieces of the bed might be saved with 

 the shells in them. 



" But trawling and dredging in deep water afford the best 

 'opportunities for collecting rarities, as among the rubbish, sea- 

 weeds, &c., which come up in the net, many curious sorts of 

 scallops and other shells are to be got, which are not to 

 be found near the land. 



" Many shell-fish may also be procured by baiting a wicker 

 basket, open at the ends, but gradually narrowing inwards, 

 like a mouse-trap. It should be baited at night, and let down 

 from the vessel when at anchor. The refuse of fish or animals 

 will answer as a bait. 



" If a bundle of straw is tied tight at one end, with a piece 

 of meat in it, and is sunk to the bottom, many shell-fish, &c., 

 will be found in it, if it is raised with the loose end uppermost. 

 There should be a weight at the end to keep the straw down. 



" A common swab sunk to the bottom will bring up many 

 shells and corals. 



" If the intestines of a fish are examined, many beautiful 

 small shells will be found in them, and be easily separated 

 after they have been for a few days in a bucket of salt-water. 



"If the mud brought up by the anchor is examined, very 

 fine shells will frequently be found in it, particularly in the 

 eastern seas ; the lead also brings up shells. 



" The natural skin or epidermis peculiar to many kinds of 

 shells, should not on any account be taken off; nor should the 

 shells be touched with any corroding acid, as it spoils them. 



" Shells that have been exposed on the sea-shore to the 

 effects of sun or water, lose their colour, and are rarely worth 

 collecting. 



" It is particularly requested that no shells maybe rejected, 

 because they are common-looking, or ugly, or small." 



