No. 4. — 1848.] 



APPENDIX. 



103 



however small and unmeaning in appearance, for amongst them 

 may be new genera and very rare shells, not seen before from such 

 an interesting country as Ceylon. 



Amongst other shells which you will find under stones are 

 chitons, which must be taken off in the same manner as the 

 limpet and other adhering univalves. When you have got the 

 chitons home, separate them from the other shells, and put them 

 into a pail of fresh water, and let them remain there from 12 to 24 

 hours ; by that time they will all be straight and fair, and also the 

 salt of the fleshy substance that surrounds them will be well 

 soaked out ; then cut out the animals, and wash them well inside 

 and out from all filth, and throw them into another vessel of 

 fresh-water ; there let them remain until you have cleaned the 

 whole, then place them on narrow slips of boards and bind them 

 down tightly, and put them in a shady place to dry, but never in 

 the sun ; in three or four days they will be fit to pack, but never 

 do so until you are satisfied they are quite dry. Do not let them 

 be exposed to the rats and mice at night, as they will eat off tbeir 

 edges and destroy them. Should any of the chitons have hairs 

 or spines, it would be well to wrap each specimen in a separate 

 piece of paper to prevent ihe hairs or spines from being injured, 

 fray observe when you begin to clean them if the animals con- 

 tract themselves in a different form : they are still alive, and you 

 should defer cleaning them a few hours longer. These shells are 

 valuable and highly esteemed. 



Many stones at the very lowest ebb will have most shells on 

 them, therefoie you must not care about getting wet to turn them 

 over, and never leave the place until the tide compels you. In 

 some spots you may find shells of great value in one tide and 

 under the stones. Amongst the rocks, on the sea shore, in the 

 crevices and on them, you will find many species of catelias, 

 chitons, murices, and several others. Make a careful survey of 

 every rock and stone : they will amply repay your trouble. All 

 sheltered coves or little bays are the best places in which to fiud 

 shells. Take those places in preference. But when they are 

 examined, then look to those in more exposed situations. The 



