OF SHOOTING AND FISHING 171 
coast. The calcareous outer coat is softened by the 
application of acid, after which it is ground off and 
the beautiful mother of pearl we see so much of in 
Japanese lacquer work is exposed to view and 
polished. Many of these shells found at Catalina 
are exquisite and present a wonderful play of 
colours, while those found further up the coast are 
either red and white or black and white, but without 
the greens and blues. The abalone fishery is chiefly 
in the hands of Japs, who not only use the shell, but 
salt and export the flesh to their Mongolian neigh- 
bours, who regard it as they do some other strange 
things, as a great delicacy. 
After dinner I found Joe waiting with the horses, 
so mounting, we started. ‘There was no moon, but 
it was bright starlight, and the ride up the dug: 
way to the high part of the island was delightful. 
The starry heavens were perfectly reflected by the 
placid Pacific on our right, and this produced a 
beautiful effect. The road, which had been con- 
structed at great expense, was rather narrow; it 
began at the town of Avalon which was at sea level, 
and rose rapidly up the steep hillside. When we 
reached the top and looked down at the water it 
seemed an infinite abyss. 
One horse was very fast and could scarcely be 
held in, while the other was very slow and could 
scarcely be forced along. I had the fast horse, 
which was delightful on the good road, but when we 
left the road and turned inland to cross the island, 
_ I found it very unpleasant dashing over an un- 
known trail. When near the sea, the starlight 
