COMMON OBJECTS OF THE SEA FLOOR 



are made. The thick pink lip is exported in 

 large quantities to Italy, where it is carved. The 

 pearls are generally oval, and vary in colour from 

 pink to white. They have none of the charm of 

 the oyster pearl, but perfect specimens occa- 

 sionally fetch very large prices. The value is 

 chiefly a matter of fashion, but in combination 

 with other stones very beautiful jewelry is some- 

 times made with them. The third kind of conch 

 has a comparatively fine shell, and in many points 

 it is the plebeian of the family. Nassau cooks 

 pride themselves upon their conch salads. It is 

 not to be despised either by the most fastidious of 

 epicures when properly prepared; but although 

 probably all are edible, only the common conch 

 (Strombus gigas) is regarded as food. 



Conch and lobster are the principal baits used 

 in fishing. 



The Bahamas are also known as the best place 

 for finding the costly ambergris. It is of a dull, 

 grey colour, and resembles a stone, except that it 

 floats on the water much better. For this reason 

 it is generally fishermen who find it, but it may 

 also be found washed up on the shore. Though 

 used for making the finest perfumery, it has it- 

 self only a delicate fragrance of tarred rope with 

 a vague reminiscence of spices. Ambergris is 

 usually worth about fifteen dollars an ounce to 

 us, .but is a sore affliction to the whale which habi- 



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