43 



seen large heaps collected on the beach, and 

 small vessels loading with a peculiar species of 

 them, which pass for currency in Africa, and 

 some parts of India. 



THE Isles of Bourbon and France are high- 

 ly and deservedly celebrated for shells and 

 it may be remarked, that whatever is produ- 

 ced there, is the most beautiful of its species. 

 The famous Manteau of St. Jaques is fished 

 up from the numerous coral reefs on some 

 parts of the coast. The regret we have so 

 often had occasion to express, does not apply 

 to the officers and men garrisoned in these 

 islands. They, on the contrary, employ much 

 of their leisure time in fishing for Harps and 

 Olives, which they effect by means of a baited 

 hook, and a line upwards of a thousand yards 

 long. Of course, the shells that are brought 

 up from so great a depth, not having been ex- 



