6o 
HISTORY OF MAURITIUS. 
grooves along the side of its shell The sea spider is a crab with red claws, of un¬ 
equal length. There is also a crab, whose shell is three times larger than itself; thus 
it appears to be covered as with a large shield, and when in motion its feet are not 
visible. 
In many places along the sea-shore, at a few feet beneath the water, are found 
great numbers of Boudins , red and black. When they are dragged on shore, they 
emit a thick, white, and flimsy matter, which is transformed in a moment into a 
parcel of loose glutinous threads. This animal is supposed to be the enemy of the 
crabs, among which it is- found. Its slime is calculated to embarrass their claws, 
which are not able to lay hold of its elastic coat, or cylindrical shape. The 
sailors give it a very gross name, which may be rendered in Latin by mentula 
monachi. The Chinese esteem it very much, and consider it as a very powerful 
stimulant. 
There may be ranked also among the shell-fish, a shapeless, soft, and membrane¬ 
ous mass, in the centre of which is a single flat bone, somewhat bent. In this species 
the common order of things seems reversed, as the animal is without, and the shell 
within. 
There are several kinds of Oursin (Echinus marinus ): the blue Oursin, with long 
prickles; in the water its two eyes shine like grains of lapis lazuli; and, among 
many others, there is one which resembles the bottom of an artichoke. 
Of the various snails some remain fixed to the rocks, with an incrusted shell; and 
others wander about whose shell is smooth and shining. Among the former is the 
Bouche d’Argent simple , which, when cleared of its incrustation, exceeds burnished 
silver in beauty : the Bouche d’Argent epineuse ; the Bouche d’Or , whose shell is 
yellow; the river snail, whose black skin conceals a fine rose colour, striped with 
points d'hongrie: the Persic or Panama Conch, which affords a liquor that gives 
a purple dye; a long snail, whose mouth is marked with black spots; and several 
others. 
Among the wandering snails are, the fluted Nerite , the smooth Nerite } with red, 
gray, and black streaks, in all directions: there is a great variety of them. The 
harp snail, the most beautiful in shape and colour; the same with the addition of 
prickles; a snail similar to one which is seen in the Azores, that yields a purple 
juice; and many others. 
There is in the Isle of France a smooth and flat Lepas> —the Star Lepas , and 
