41 



k was in their possession this ought to stimu- 

 late us in our researches. 



WE know nothing of the shells that occur 

 on the eastern coast of Africa, until we arrive 

 at Zanzibar and Mozambique. The fresh- 

 water and land shells cannot fail of being ex- 

 tremely interesting. It is to be hoped that 

 we shall receive many new species from the 

 ships now surveying the coast. The harbour 

 and bay of Mozambique, are extremely rich 

 in shells, generally the common varieties of 

 the Cypraea Tigris, and Bull's Mouth (Bueci- 

 num Rufum). The exterior of the latter has a 

 stratified appearance when cut, and resembles 

 an onyx. Most beautiful figures are carved 

 upon it, which closely imitate the finest an- 

 tique gems, and are known under the name 

 of Shell Cameos : this species of engraving is 

 carried to great perfection in Rome. The com- 



