Oh. IX.] slut island. 135 



Between us and the mainland was a small island (Slut 

 Island), which I visited several times, and found productive 

 of many interesting species. The island itself appeared 

 from the ship to be highly cultivated, a series of green ter- 

 races extending nearly along the whole length ; but a nearer 

 approach showed the terraces to be covered with rank grass, 

 and at the foot of them a ruined village, the bare walls of 

 ■(vhich were thickly overgrown with coarse vegetation. Two 

 or three men, who were employing themselves in picking up 

 what edible articles they could find on the beach, assured me 

 that the inhabitants had voluntarily deserted it ; but it had 

 all the appearance of a pirate village, which had been 

 destroyed by fire and sword. And, indeed, its situation was 

 most favourable for such lawless pursuits. The men had 

 taken possession of a joss-house, which was in. pretty good 

 preservation, and contained, among other figures, some of a 

 frightfully diabolical character, which, however, did not 

 appear to deter the Chinamen from cooking their sheU-fish 

 in their immediate presence, and under their influence. 



Upon the stony shore at low water were shells of the 

 genera Turbo, Eanella, Murex, Oliva, &c. Large purple 

 Echini, and a few inconspicuous star-fishes, represented 

 the Echinoderms ; and the little striped Sagartia before 

 described was here pretty numerous. Among my trophies 

 also was a Virgularia about six inches long, closely resembling 

 V. mirabilis. On one shore-excursion I was so fortunate as 

 to find four new species of Nudibranchiata. The first of 

 these was a Doris with a rich chrome border, and large, 

 circular, raised carmine spots scattered over the back, giving 

 it a very striking appearance. It was a small animal, and 

 I found but one specimen, and this makes it the more 

 remarkable that I should have rediscovered the species 



