40 



ship for the discovery of some rare exotic plants, 

 minerals, &c. 



THE extensive island of Madagascar is high- 

 ly deserving of attention : its coasts abound 

 with shells, particularly Buccina, Cypraese, 

 Strombi, Murices, and Chitons ; and it is pro- 

 bable that its rivers produce Muscles, some of 

 which might prove to be new species; but of 

 these, as well as of the land shells, we have at 

 present no information. It also produces Gold, 

 highly diaphanous rock crystal, with various 

 other minerals ; and insects and birds of extra- 

 ordinary beauty. It is much to be regretted, 

 that an island so interesting to the Concholo- 

 gist, Mineralogist, and Entymologist, should 

 have remained so long unexplored by us. The 

 French have derived many fine specimens from 

 thence, in these three departments of natural 

 history, which were collected during the time 



