— 95 — 
filaments, and bo closely, that it is only when death takes place 
and thoy relax their hold that the creature slips out of his 
house. The tentacles were nearly three inches in length over 
GO in number and when extended they equalied in beauty any 
Passion flower that ever grew. 
“ The case though rough and unsightly out-side, is lined with 
a substance as soft and shiny as brown satin. It preserved so 
well in aicohol that it is now on its way across another ocean 
with numbers ot other curiosities to excite the admiration of 
scientific men at home. 
‘•The reels appear to be making in rapidly just as they are in 
Mahebourg Bay. .The formation of the actual reef coral, as is 
well known is ot the slowest possible, yet the light surface co- 
rals are of rapid growth and the coral debris brought in by 
every dash of the waves, counts for much in the course of a 
year. How long a time has elapsed since the foundation of 
those reefs was laid who can tell ? The fellows sawing up the 
giant blocks little thought of the tiny architects of the ponde- 
rous masses. 
“According to the scientific calculations, I should think the 
first polyp must have begun his work somewhere about the 
time when man had arrived at a few stages from hi# original 
Ascidian state, of Darwinian notoriety. 
III. 
“ On Monday the 28th I rose very early in order to enjoy a 
long walk before the oppressive heat of the day set in. I took 
the road North of the town, which makes along the shore fora 
distance of about 5 miles. The fine road was 1 believe com- 
menced under tbe administration of the Hon. 8. Ward, and 
is still being carried on by Mr Commissioner Franklin. 
“ After leaving my residence I came to a number of large 
Turtle pounds on tbe right of tbe road, which are in fact in- 
lets from the Bay, and the tide ebbs and flows in them. The 
flesh of the Turtle forms the ‘Beef’ of these Islands, and is in 
great demand. I paused to watch the capture of some by se- 
veral stout Moeambiques. One of tbe fellows who seemed to 
be quite an expert, having selected a fine large one, cleverly 
