27 



Pounds per annum, chiefly for shells, to gen- 

 tlemen who amused themselves, and profited 

 largely, by collecting. The finest lot of the 

 Turbo Phasianu?, that was ever brought to 

 this country, was gathered by two boys inWest- 

 ern Port. A whale-ship off the coast sent a 

 boat on shore to search for fresh provisions, as 

 birds and animals : while the crew were shoot- 

 ing, the boat grounded amongst large stones 

 and weeds ; and, during the time before she 

 floated, the boys left in charge of her employed 

 themselves in gathering the shells entangled in 

 the weeds and about the stones, from whence 



Helena, who was a connoisseur. He obtained them from Dutch, 

 Danish, and Portuguese ships, particularly South SeaWhalers. 

 The commanders of these ships, wanting refreshments, found it 

 their interest to present him with any shells he might please to 

 *Hect. Hence that gentleman formed a superior collection 

 which I purchased after he retired from the service. 



