THE INDIAN OCEAN. 353 
tnto the boiling surf, or impale him upon the sharp 
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 2501. up to 
above 9001. sterling per picwl ; 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, 242,400lbs., worth to the sellers at 
the islands, 284,2907. 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 wholg amount. 
The 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 naw generally agreed ta be a sea-weed 
23 2a2 
