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LETTERS FROM 
the boatmen, that some very large chitons, 
which he called “ Turk's fruit ” were to be 
found on the rocks round Fort Manuel, and 
we therefore applied to the superintendent of 
quarantine for a pass, without which no one 
is allowed to cross the bridge, or to land 
from a boat. We spent a whole morning on 
the island, and found several new shells, among 
which were some large trochi; but for chitons, 
the part of the harbour I have before mention¬ 
ed is a much better situation. A fisherman 
lately brought me some “ sea-oranges,” as 
they are called; they are found adhering to 
the sea-weed, and appear to belong to the 
sponge-tribe. They are composed of a thick 
outer covering of a deep yellow-colour, and 
granulated texture, enclosing a fibrous grey¬ 
ish substance, and they have very much the 
appearance of the fruit from which they are 
named, though not more than half the size. 
