31 



Islands, Formosa, and the entrance of Can- 

 ton river, produce rare shells. The scarce 

 varieties of the Nautilus are from the coast of 

 Japan. The productions of these seas may be 

 bought at the small shops in Canton, and are 

 often vended by itinerant dealers. If any of the 

 commanders or officers of our ships would em- 

 ploy an intelligent fisherman to collect land 

 and fresh- water shells, he might, for a few dol- 

 lars, depend upon obtaining very many inter- 

 esting shells, for which he would be amply re- 

 munerated upon his return. The very com- 

 monest productions of the Chinese seas have 

 been neglected, (probably from their gene- 

 ral occurrence or uninviting appearance), al- 

 though desirable in this country ; while, on the 

 other hand, carved Nautili, and large green 

 shells, which have been polished, to display their 

 pearly lustre, have been bought with avidity, 

 but have failed to repay the collector, or grati- 

 fy the connoisseur. 



