THE INDIAN OCEAN. 335 



into the boiling surf, or im^mle hira upon the shai-p 

 processes of the rocks. The best nests are obtained 

 from such gloomy caves as these ; for there are 

 several qualities, the best being white, or nearly 

 transparent, as if composed of threads of isinglass; 

 others, which are inferior, are coarser in texture, 

 darker in colour, streaked with blood, or mixed with 

 feathers, or defiled with the food and ordure of the 

 young. When procured, they are simply dried in 

 the shade, and packed in boxes, each containing a 

 picul, equal to about one hundred and thirty-three 

 pounds. In the Chinese markets they fetch prices 

 varying, according to the quality, from 250Z. up to 

 above 900?. sterling -per picul ; the latter price being 

 at the rate of nearly seven pounds sterling per pound, 

 and consequently almost equal to double the weight 

 of the article in silver ! The amount shipped from 

 the archipelago is estimated by Mr. Crawfurd at 

 1818 piculs, 242,400 lbs., worth to the sellers at 

 the islands, 284,290?. In defenceless and remote 

 situations, exposed to lawless plunder, the caverns 

 are of little value : but in other more favourable 

 localities, the clear profit is very great ; for it is 

 computed that the whole expense of collecting, dry- 

 ing, and packing, does not much exceed one-tenth 

 part of the whole amount. 



Tlie nests are used in China, by the luxurious, 

 in thickening rich soups ; but though considered by 

 them a great delicacy, have been but little esteemed 

 by Europeans, who have tasted the preparations at 

 Chinese tables. The substance of which they are 

 composed is noAv generally agreed to be a sea-weed 



