HISTORY OF MAURITIUS. 6 3 
madreporce : there is also a white muscle, with an elastic shell, which incorporates 
itself with the sponge; it is an intermediate gradation between two kinds. 
The Hacbe d’armes is of the muscle kind, and is formed like a battle axe, with 
the hatchet on one side, and a point on the other; it is covered with asperities, and 
opens with a simple elastic plait. 
Among the cockles, is the Arche de Noe , whose extremities rise like the poop of 
a vessel; the Cceur de Bceuf\ one side of which is irregular; the Corbeille , whose 
flutings blend with each other; the Rape> whose stries, or gutters, are formed by 
arches which cross one another; a common cockle, with a slender shell, the inside 
of which is tinged with a deep blue; another sort, which is very beautiful and 
scarce, and marked on the outside like embroidery; the Peigne, and the Manteau 
ducal , of a fine Aurora colour. 
There is every appearance, that the shell fish have their hostilities as well as other 
animals, as the shattered remains of them are continually found on the shores; and 
those which are taken in an entire state, are always pierced in different parts. There 
is a snail, armed with a sharp tooth, with which it wounds the shell of the muscle. 
It is-found in the straits of Magellan, and is called the armed Burgau. 
To obtain fine shell fish, they must be taken alive. Those, whose covering is 
clear, live on the sand, where they take refuge in stormy weather: others cling to 
the rocks: the muscles take abode among the branches of submarine plants, where 
they do not multiply in a great degree : if they were to spawn on the rocks, as in 
Europe, the hurricanes would destroy them. 
There is much variety in the hinges of the shells of fish, which the artisan might 
imitate with advantage. The oyster has but little leather, which incorporates with 
the stony substance: the muscle has a strong elastic skin: the hacbe d'arme has but 
one fold : the cceur , if regular, has some small teeth at its hinge, which lock in one 
another; and if one of its sides extends, the hinge increases on the side where the 
weight preponderates, and the teeth which form it have a porportionable strength. 
An admirable principle of geometry is visible in their curb. 
The Isle of France is entirely surrounded with the madreporae, which are stony 
vegetations, in the form of plants and shrubs. They are in such abundance, that 
the rocks are entirely formed of them. 
They may be distinguished by those which do not spring from the earth, and 
those which are attached to it. 
