232 
LETTERS FROM 
boxes formed of lava, and some beautiful 
necklaces, and other ornaments of amber, 
which substance is found in the neighbour¬ 
hood. They asked an extravagant price for 
these articles, but at length they appeared 
perfectly satisfied with less than half the sum 
originally demanded. 
While my companions were occupied in 
examining the museum of the Benedictines, 
which is open only at certain horns, I set 
out on a ramble in the neighbourhood, 
hoping to find some beautiful plants, or 
shells, or insects, which would afford me 
more pleasure than a sight of all the broken 
pieces of marble and mutilated statues in the 
world. In a small stream on the outskirts 
of the town, I soon discovered some very 
interesting specimens of the animal king¬ 
dom, differing considerably in their habits 
from any of the same species I had before 
