FSEUDO-OURIOSITIES, 



75 



and so nibbled by various marine animals, that 

 they can hardly be recognised even by the very 

 persons who have consumed the peas that were 

 once enshrined in these metamorphosed husks. 

 Nut-shells, gooseberry husks, currant stalks, cherry 

 stones, and many similar objects, assume, after 

 a temporary sojourn in the ocean, very singular 

 forms, and may easily deceive an unaccustomed 

 eye, especially as they often resemble vegetable 

 and animal remains that properly belong to the 

 sea. I mention this, because I have seen many 

 instances of such deception. 



Only a year or two ago, I commissioned a 

 friend to procure for me any marine curiosities 

 that could be found, and to forward them when 

 a sufficient quantity had been amassed. In due 

 time the parcel arrived, having a pleasant marine 

 smell about it, and on being opened, was found 

 to contain some very curious objects. Among 

 them was one on which the collector especially 

 prided himself, and in chase of which he had 

 bravely waded into the sea and undergone a 

 complete wetting. It was apparently a kind of 

 sponge, about eight inches in length, of a light 

 brownish yellow colour, and hollow at one end, as 

 are most sponges. But, on a nearer examination, 

 this sponge proved to be a cabbage-stalk, of which 



