MALTA AND SICILY. 
149 
mals he has been extracting from some 
snails. In one corner of the room is an 
apparatus for pressing plants, consisting of 
two large boards, and a great rough stone for 
a weight. In another corner lies a confused 
heap of flat sticks and tangled string, used 
for tying down chitons, and on the mantel¬ 
piece is a collection of tin boxes of various 
forms and sizes, with other collecting appa¬ 
ratus. To complete the picture, dear little 
Minna, who is reposing by my side with her 
head in my lap, has jumped up without 
having taken the precaution of wiping her 
muddy feet, of which she has left several 
exact impressions on the white sofa-cover. 
Poor Michele does his best to keep things in 
order; but in a short time the room is as 
untidy as ever again, and I wonder he does 
not give up the attempt in despair. 
A week or two ago I had the pleasure 
