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Extracting it, is to break the shell carefully with a hammer, so as 

 not to crush the fish, and then let out the liquor in the vesicle with 

 a lancet or other sharp instrument. I for greater convenience used 

 a pen, and immediately wrote my initials, &c, on a handkerchief ; 

 the marks in half an hour after were of a dirty green colour, and 

 on being exposed to the air a few hours longer, changed to a most 

 rich crimson. The quantity produced by each animal is very small, 

 but quite sufficient for such an experiment. The best time for 

 making it, is when the animal is in an incipient state of putrescency. 

 I have not a doubt that if a sufficient quantity of them were taken, 

 and the dyeing matter, when extracted, were liquified in a small de^ 

 gree with gum-water, a valuable article of commerce might be pro- 

 duced. At least the trial is worth making. The liquid is a perfect 

 substantive dye, and of course resists the action of alkalies. 



On the rocks, and in greater abundance on the trunks of old trees, 

 I observed a variety of lichens, sorne of which produced tints of 

 several shades of colours. The continual decomposition of vege- 

 tables here adds greatly to the richness of the soil ; it is not uncom- 

 mon to find trees lying on the ground with their interior substance 

 entirely decomposed, and a great diversity of plants growing on 

 them in high luxuriance. Among the numerous tribes of birds that 

 frequent this region, the aquatic afford good eating, as do also the 

 smaller parrots. The Avoods are filled with monkeys ; and on the 

 banks of the rivers are found capivaras in considerable numbers. 



In coasting along this shore it is customary for strangers to visit 

 the chief person in command at every station, whatever may be his 

 degree or rank ; he, on being requested, will furnish guides, and 

 afford every assistance in his power, I always experienced the 

 greatest attention and civility from these gentlemen, and have reason 

 to believe that they uniformly pay the same regard to all who visit 

 them for permission to see the country. 



Ten leagues north of this place is the fine and capacious har- 

 bour of Groupus, with its handsome town ; the anchorage is 



