32 



GOLD and Diamonds, which are found in 

 the soil of the rivers, have been brought from 

 Borneo; but we are ignorant of what shells 

 may be produced on the coast of that large 

 island, or in the interior. 



FROM the extensive group of the Celebes 

 and Sooloo Islands, very fine shells have 

 been received : these were collected by officers 

 of ships of war, or circumnavigators. One 

 of the rarest shells known, was brought up 

 adhering to the mud on the anchor of an 

 Indiaman, when getting under weigh, in the 

 straits of Macassar. As ships are often ob- 

 liged to come to an anchor, and are sometimes 

 detained for a length of time amongst these 

 islands, the Malay fishermen, were they pro- 

 perly encouraged, would bring on board many 

 interesting and valuable shells. The elegant 

 and scarce perfume Ambergris is met with in 

 these seas. 



