MALTA AND SICrLV. 
59 
jecting angles of the town-walls, it seems to 
be considered a sort of neutral ground. But 
even in this privileged spot a guardian is 
stationed, who speaks his opinion very de¬ 
cidedly when he thinks we approach too 
near to any person whose term of quaran¬ 
tine differs from ours. In this place, which 
we have named “ Chiton Beach,” from our 
finding many specimens of that shell there, 
we often spend several hours very pleasantly, 
searching for curiosities, whether animal, ve¬ 
getable, or mineral, for everything is valu¬ 
able to persons so deeply infected with the 
mania of collecting as ourselves. On this 
beach we sometimes enjoy a delightful 
bathe, though against the advice of all the 
people here, who say that the water is too 
cold at this season, but to our feelings it is 
exceedingly pleasant and warm. In some 
places the bottom is covered with a beautiful 
