Tue Fiorma Keys 11 
Conchs, as the natives of the Bahama Islands, probably 
descendants of the old Buccaneers, are called; the Cuban 
cigar-makers, and the motley collection of negroes. Span- 
ish is much spoken, and the language of the Bahama 
Islanders can searcely be recognized as English when 
first heard. 
At one shop kept by a Bahama woman and her daughter 
I saw some beautiful seashells, artificial flowers, and other 
objects made of shells, some of them quite pretty and 
others atrocious. Among the shells were great “king 
— conchs”’ ane ne ath rough saeoaen! and exqui- 
sitely polished rose-colored lining; ueen conchs” 
(Cassis sp.) wa are also called helmet shells; pretty — 
cone coape: olive shells, murices, and cowries. | Of the 
bival perh the most remarkable was the Venus- 
shell ( Cleeve dione), s specimens of which I had before 
seen at Aspinwall. In addition to these there were — 
purple and orange-colored gorgonias or sea fans; corals — 
of many kinds, staghorn coral, brain coral, mushroom 
: coral, and other forms which had no names; dried star-— 
: 2 
d sea urchins; and sponges of many forms, - 
of which were like great goblets and anes _ oo. 
neceaireertes chimneys. 
Under the eaves of many of the houses bn cages J ee 
birds of various kinds in them: card ; (cee 
and finchlike birds of several species. J bought ab ° — 
) "(Cyonospen crs), the 
