72 TRAVELS IN UPPER 



that which composes the rest of the islands of 

 Malta and Gozzi : this is occasioned by the dis- 

 tillation of the waters, which, in passing through 

 that rock, carry along with them the lighter par- 

 ticles of it. The colours of the alabaster of Malta 

 vary, according to the districts where it is found ; 

 but they are always a mixture of yellow, gray, and 

 blackish. It admits of a fine polish. I have seen 

 very beautiful tables and large corner-buffets of it 

 in the palace of the grand-master. 



The species of lichen proper for furnishing the 

 die known by the name oi or sill a herbce, generally 

 grows on rocks bathed by the sea *. The grand- 

 master proposed to take up with spirit this new 

 branch of commerce in his island, for which it is 

 indebted to the exertions and the researches of 

 citizen Dolomieux. 



The sea on the coasts of Malta furnish in abun- 

 dance various species of fishes. The natives set a 

 high value on a sort which they call accola, and the 

 French ihon blanc (the white tunny). I never had 

 it in my power to ascertain its genus with preci- 

 sion, having seen it only when dressed for the 

 table; it does not attain the size of the common 

 tunny, but its flesh is whiter, and likewise more 



* Fucus verrucosus t'mctorius. Tounief. Inst. Rei herb. — Lichen 

 roxella. Lin. 



' delicate. 



