28 



they took many limpets and large chitons. 

 On their return home they brought them to 

 me, and, though I gave them the price they 

 demanded I thought it not only right, but po- 

 litic, also to make them a handsome present, in 

 order to stimulate them to keep a sharp look 

 out for shells, on another voyage. Here, I am 

 sorry to state, that officers seldom trouble 

 themselves with collecting. It is to be lament- 

 ed, that the beautiful productions of nature are 

 not more noticed : the boys, or inferior officers, 

 are generally the only persons who save what 

 they may pick up, and thus add a few pounds 

 to their wages. 



THE numerous islands in these seas abound 

 with fine shells; but from New Caledonia, the 

 New Hebrides, and the Carolinas, none have 

 yet been received. And strange as it may 

 appear, the author of the Narrative on the PeU 



