138 BOOK 0# NATURE LAID OPEN. 



The Hawk's -bill Turtle is valued on account of 

 its shell, from whence our most beautiful snuff boxes, 

 and other trinkets, are said to be formed. The Green 

 Turtle, as a wholesome and highly delicious food, 

 has become such a valuable article in commerce, that 

 our West India vessels are now generally fitted up 

 With conveniences for importing them alive. The 

 Land Crab is said to be regarded as a delicacy in 

 Jamaica; and it is even asserted that the slaves are 

 often entirely fed upon them. Among the shell fish 

 on the Waterford coast, the Murex, which gave the 

 Tyrian purple, is said to exist. We need not men- 

 tion in what estimation the Lobster, the Crab, and 

 other shell-fish, are held among ourselves;^ and the 

 delicacy of flavour which makes the Oyster prized 

 as an article of food. In the Oyster, also, is found 

 that beautiful substance called Mother of Pearl; but 

 as the pearl fishery is one of the most destructive em- 

 ployments (the art of war excepted,) in which the 

 human species can be engaged, it is much to be la- 

 mented that what is principally used in the formation 

 of trinkets should continue to be procured at the ex- 

 pence of so much human misery. 



The pearls are searched for by Divers, educated to 

 it as a profession ; they descend from fifty to sixty feet, 

 each bringing up a net full of Oysters. The pearl 

 is most commonly attached to the inside of the shell, 

 but is most perfect when found in me animal itself. 



The exertion undergone during this progress is so 

 violent, that, upon being brought into the boat, the 

 Divers discharge water from their mouths, ears and 



