QL 405 ftf^*^ fec«^ .^*r-^ m^' l%if' f VOYAGER'S COMPANION; iibrmy hoW- ~ '' o» SHELL COLLECTOR'S PILOTy Instructions and Directions witere to find the finest Shells; ALSO FOR PRESERVING THE SKINS OF ANIMALS; AND THE Best Methods of Catching and Preserving Insects, i^c. ^c. 4-c. BY JOHN MA WE. Author of Treatise on Shells, Lessons on Mineralogy, Travels in Brazil, &c. Third Edition, ?vith colored Plate. LONDON: PRINTED FOR AND SOLD BY THE AUTHOR, 149, STKAND; AND LONGMAN, HURST, REES, ORME, AND BROWN, PATERNOSTER-ROW. '*^'' ^ 'tTrtttSONIAN Price Five Shitn„i:i.^CM^ ' m 2' ^^^^ . PRINTED BY W M'DOWALL, PEMBERTON ROW, GOUGH SQUARE. ADVERTISEMENT. MANY have been deterred from sending shells, fearing they might be seized by the officers of the customs. The following is a certain mode to prevent it: and it is particularly recommend- ed to captains of ships, passengers, &c. Any person desirous to send a box of shells &c to the author, he will pay the charges, and make an adequate return in whatever way the consignor may direct. It is proper to observe, that they must be packed in cases, and entered on the ship's manifest, and marked as below, which will prevent any risk of seizure. J. MAWE, Ring's Warehouse, London. N. B. Ships bound to any out-port, if the case be directed as above, it will be duly forward- ed to the address. DESCRIPTION OF PL A TES. The Frontispiece, Low water, and the beach strewed with most beautiful shells and coral, to tempt the travel- ler, and rouse his mind to contemplate on the beauties of the deep, and the wonderful works of an Omniponent Being — " Who taught the little naatilus io sail, " Spread his thin oar, and scud before the gaie !" The bird is emblematical of— " Search, and ye shall find," A few snails are placed on the land, shewing, that although the animal is not pretty, yet he forms a shell often held in great estimation. A few tropical birds are introduced, to show another variety of the beauties of the creation. The plate of Insects requires no explanation. INTRODUCTION. IN offering this little Work to the Pub- lic, more especially to sailors and travel- lers, it may not be improper to state, that the following pages are generally the re- sult of my own observations, during fif- teen years that I was at sea, and sub- sequently whilst I was resident for six years in South America, and the Bra- zils. VJ INTRODUCTION. Having sailed to most parts of the globe, I may say, from my own experi- ence, that there is no station which af- fords such facilities for collecting shells and various subjects belonging to Na- tural History, as that of commander or officer of a ship, whether he please to make it an amusement, or a traffic. Finding a sea-faring life hazardous during the war, after a favorable voyage I left off going to sea, and, with other business, commenced collecting minerals and shells: since which time, I may ven- ture to assert, that the finest shells in the modern cabinets of Europe have passed INTRODUCTION. vii through my hands, and to sucli an a- mount as would appear incredible to any one not interested in the science of Con- chology. In this, as well as in every other branch of natural history, the knowledge requi- site to discover the scarce and rare vari- eties from the common, can only be ac- quired by practice. To particularize objects that may present themselves to the traveller, is not the aim of this work ; but, for the benefit of science, and his own interest, it is desirable to excite him to collect all he may meet with, until he has skill to select the good from the bad ; viii INTRODUCTION. and 1 can assure him that he will be am- ply remunerated for his labor. I say alh for however common they may be in the countries he visits, they may be scarce here. Several years ago, I published a small pamphlet, entitled " Directions to Captains of Ships, Officers, and Travel- lers, particularly to those who visit the South Sea Islands," &c. which went through two editions. Since that time, science has rapidly advanced, and it may be said, there are but few who have not felt a desire to obtain something more than an ordinary knowledge of the pro- INTRODUCTION. ix ductions of nature. The accomplishing of this has been rendered extremely easy by recent publications, which em- brace, separately, the various branches of natural history, more particularly that of Shells*, describing and explaining the various orders and species, with par- ticular instructions to collectors. When at sea, I have often lowered down my boat to take in floating wood. * The Author has just published a small Treatise on Shells, with colored plates, and lists of the names of the various species under each genus, written expressly for learners. X INTRODUCTIOxV. (wreck), sea-weed, &c. from which I have collected many rare small shells. — Whales have frequently barnacles ad- hering to their heads and jaws; and the ^^ cod is often penetrated by the destruc- tive worm, (teredo navalis)*; which is extremely interesting to examine. • The Teredo Navalis is a mucilaginous sub- stance, in the head of which are strong muscles, terminated with hard shell-like substances, one of which is not unlike the cutting part of a car- penter's auger : this the animal works so as to bore holes in almost every sort of wood. It is supposed that the animal, when extremely INTRODUCTION. xi Limpets may ]>e found in every har- bour, on every rock, and on every coast: the sea seldom ebbs without leaving shells of various species ; among the most com- mon that are exposed for sale in the markets of the countries the traveller may visit, the connoisseur might disco- ver some rare or interesting varieties. I SHALL conclude my observations up- smal>j floats in the water, and attaches itself to the bottoms of ships, (if of wood), which it almost immediatelyplerces, and, like the pholas, grows and becomes larger as it penetrates. Xii INTRODUCTION. on this subject, %Titli strongly recom- mending the reader, whenever oppor- tunity occurs, as ships loading, refresh- ing, &c. to employ the fishermen on the coast to collect for him; these men are well acquainted with the places where shells may be found, and for a tri- lling remuneration would gather a sup- ply, w hich, on his return home, might gratify his friends, or otherwise be turned to advantage. It would also amply repay him, to hire an expert negro to go into the ul- terior in quest of Land-shells; for, al- though the animal be a snail, with his INTRODUCTION. xiii house on his back, and less beautiful than sea shells, yet they are interesting and desirable, from being seldom at- tended to. Ill Brazil, at the royal farm at Santa Cruz, where I resided some months, holding a high official situation, I adopted what I here recommend, and succeeded to the utmost of my wishes. XIV The following is the Recipe for making the Preservative Soap. As both it and the Powder are deadly poisons, 1 have thought proper, by adopting the tech- nical phraseology, to conceal (in some degree) the ingredients from those who might apply them to improper purposes. A rsenici Oxydi | j Saponis 5 j Potassce Carbonatis 5 vj Aquas saturatae - 5 vj Camphorce • • • • 3 ij Preservative Powder. Arsenici Oxydi pidv is. CONTENTS. Introduction v Chap. I. Cleaning and packing shells 1 II. Localities of shells f ^c. • • .5 Ambergris 26 III. On Insects 29 IV. On Birds 35 V. On Reptiles, 39 VI. On Quadi^peds 43 VII. On Plants 49 VIII. On Minerals bS CHAPTER T. On Cleaning and Packing Shells. SHELLS frequently receive considerable in- jury, and sometimes are entirely spoiled, by the attempts of unskilful persons to clean them.— — It is therefore of essential consequence that the following observations be most strictly attend- ed to. Whfn a live shell is found, it would soon be- come offensive, unless the animal were taken out. To perform this, nothing more is requi- site than to put the shell into a kettle of wa- ter, and let it heat gradually, until it boils. After a few minutes, tlie shell should be ta- ken out, and put into a bucket of cold wa- ter; the animal will then shrink, and may ge- nerally be shaken from the shell : but if it should still adhere, it may be pulled out with a crooked pin or hook, great care being taken not to in- jure the mouth, which is commonly the most tender part of the shell. Oysters, muscles, clams, or Umpets, may be treated in the same way; or they may be opened with a knife, and the animal cut out, which must be done very gently, least the shell should be chipped or broken: but the former method is preferable, since the shell opens of itself, when in boiling water. The same care should be ta- ken in separating limpets from the rocks, for the least chipping renders them but little es- teemed. This operation being performed, the shells should be immediately rinsed and stowed awav; and no further attempts at cleaning or polish- ing should be made. The roiigh outside, (epi- dermis), forms a principal character in the shell, and should on no account be remove d ■ the perfection of a shell depends on its being in its natural state. Many shells are in themselves such beauti- ful objects, that the traveller should be as expe- ditious as possible in removing them out of sight, for they invariably create in the beholder a de- sire of handling them, which is generally inju- rious to the interests of the possessor. We shall now proceed to describe the best methods of packing shells. Pour some saw- dust, or, if that be cot at hand, some sand from the beach, into a chest or beef barrel ; into this the large strong shells may be put, covering them with sand, or sawdust. For the more ten- der varieties, small boxes, about a foot square, and six incl^s deep, should be provided, (which may be purchased for a shilling each), into which the shells should be placed io layers, with sawdust strewed amongst them. The Paper Nautili should be packed, keel down, in shallow boxes, which should be filled with sawdust, moss, cotton, or paper shavings, for any heavier substance would^chip the edges of the shells, and diminish their value. The boxes>into which these are packed, should never contain more than one layer. Small chip boxes may be used for par- ticular varieties, but as these boxes are very slight, they should be afterwards packed within the larger ones ; and when all are full, they ought to be stowed away in an empty barrel or chest, which should be finally closed or nailed down; marked, and entered on the Ship''s manifest, as Shells — to prevent the risk of seizure. The Custom House expenses are so trivial, and tlie process so simple, that the Author will have pleasure in assisting any one who may be unac- quainted with the routine. CHAPTER II. Localities of Shells ^ Vc. SHELL-FISH are generally esteemed for food, and a great variety of shells are in the mar- ket of almost every sea-port, both abroad and at home: at Billingsgate, Portsmoutli, Plymouth, &c. we have our periwinkles or whelks, muscles, cockles, scallops, gapers, and oysters ; the same species are also exposed for sale in the markets of other countries, but they differ from those which are found on the English coasts. The pectens, scallops, cockles, &c. from France and Spain differ from our's, which renders it desira- ble to possess them. The common shells (except the oyster), which are found at Cadiz and in the Mediterranean, especially at Cett*?, ^Marseilles, and G^noa, are desirable. When at Mogador, I found many g^ood limpets, and scarcely any thing else worth notice, except some muscles and land-shells*, which I persuaded the floors to bring from the Interior. We receive many varieties of land-sheUs-f, (some of which are lai^, and particularly in request), from the Gambia and the interior of Senegal. At Go- ree, and along the African coast many varieties of shells occur, as well as to the southward, at Sierra Leon, and more especially Cape Palmas, the Gold Coast, and Eight of Benin. From the islands, St. Thomas's, Annabona, and the coast about Loanga, very good shells have * Scail shells, j The animals constitute an article of food; and I have often seen snails, boiled in their shells, serred up with rice, in vari- ous pOTts in the Mediterranean. been brought; also from the vicinity of the Congo, and the Portuguese settlement, Ben- guela. One of the rarest shells known, and several scarce varieties, have been gathered from these coasts, also sea-fans (gorgonia)^ and interesting weeds ; all of which, as well as the land-shells from the interior, are desirable.— Farther south, as far as Saldahna Bay, the shells are similar to those about the Cape. Along the coast of North America, and as far as the Spanish Main, few interesting shells have appeared : from the latter numerous vari- eties of volutes and camp-shells, ( pen-a-viar ) , are brought continually. We know but little of the shells that may be found about Pensacola, or New Orleans, or along the coast until \\e ar- rive at Vera Cruz; but from this port, Cartha- gena, and the intermediate coast, we have re- ceived a few fine varieties. Some beautiful spin- ed shells, of the Venus species, (not unhke cockles), have been brought from Trinidad and the shoals of the Oronoco. The West- Indies do not produce many of what are termed rare shells*. I have picked up fine conchs, sea-fans, and weed, all over the coast of Jamaica, and in the interior some in- teresting land and lagoon shells. A FRIEND of mine, a commander of a ship, who went to Demerara, employed at my request an expert negro to go into the Interior to col- lect land and firesh water shells. The man was absent a week, and collected a bos. full of what are termed snail-shells, and muscles; these were packed with refuse cotton, and the whole expense did not exceed six dollars. And let me here recommend the traveller to hire a fish- erman, or clever negro, (who ought to be well remunerated on his return), to collect, as well « The CuUectums of shdis, m fine boxes, which are sold in the West-Indies, are too contemptible to notice ; they can onlj idease mere nonces. as to pack these objects, and thas free the em- ployer from any trouble- The land shells and muscles which may be fonnd over the whole of the vast territories of Surinam and Cayenne are very desirable- I would amply repay any one for what he mig-Lt bring from the interior of those countries^ Of the shells from the Amazons, the great island Joannes, and from the district cf Para, we know little or nothing', except that there are in the interior many fine helices (snail shells), mus- cles, &C. Shells, therefore, however com- mon in those places, would be objects of at- tention here. From Pernambuco to Bahia and Rio de Ja- neiro, the land and fresh water shells are quite as iaterestiag, if not more so, than those which are found on the coast; to the southward of c 10 Rio*, near the isle of St. Sebastian, the Paper Nautilus, and other fine shells, are frequently met with. About six years ago, after a gale of wind, a spring tide ebb left a reef of Nautili and other shells along the coast of Bahia, mutilated by the surf of the conflicting elements: a Go- vernment-ship was at the same time loading with timber. On her return to Chatham, I received intelhgence from an officer on board, that he had collected a quantity of them. I sent a person dowTi, who purchased to the amount of twenty- five pounds. A similar circumstance occurred under my own observation, at the moutli of the Guadalquiver, near Cadiz, from whence I select- * At the Royal Farm, Santa Cruz, about forty miles from Rio, where I held an official situation, (first administrator), 1 directed some expert negroes to pick up what snail shells and curious animals they might meet with : these they left at my house as they passed, and, by allowing them a small compensa- tion, I obtained many fine shells, insects, birds, reptiles, and small animals of the monkey, ape, and hedge-ho^ species. 11 ed many fine varieties. Indeed, almost every gale of nind throws up some interesting shells. From the interior, near Santa Cniz, also a- bout Santos and Bertiojo, I collected many cu- rious shells; but strange to tell, I have found it difficult to persuade any one to send me another supply, although so easily obtained. No, they think them common, and because they really are so there, they do not bring or send them. When at the isle of St. Catherines, and the bays near it, I employed the fishermen to col- lect for me, and obtained from them many va- rieties of shells, sea-eggs, star-fish, coral, and sea-weed, also muscles and land shells from the lagoons, to which I gave the preference. In the river Plata I was not equally fortu- nate ; for though a gale, called a Pampero, had left the river dry in many places, from two to three miles in extent, I could discover no shells; 12 nor were the fishermen, whose attention I en- gaged, more successful. Notwithstanding, I am told, fine volutes are met with there. Many fossil-shells maybe found under a black soil, resting on granite, near Monte Video. I COLLECTED some good shells in the interior, and at Barriga-negra, near the river Sebollitee, where I was detained many months*. The rocks which form the Falkland Islands, produce very fine limpets. Many good shells have been brought from Magellan Straits, and Staten Land ; nor are the remote islands, called South Georgia, or Kerguelen's Land, witJiout fine limpets, and thick strong shells, which are desirable. « see the Author's Travels through the gold and diamond district of Brazil. 13 After rounding Cape Horn, we know nothing of the shells that may be produced on the coast of Chili and the neighbouring islands; nor in- deed, until we reach the coast of Peru, from whence many fine varieties have been procured, especially from the shores of Callao, and near Lima. All the species that may be found at these places, at low water, or obtained from the fishermen, should be carefully collected. The Gallipagos Islands, we know, are rich in shells, and it is wonderful that more have not been brought from thence. From the islands at the entrance of the gulf of California, and from the rocks and beach, nu- merous fine Ears have been collected, for which in one year I paid above a hundred pounds.— The barnacles which adhere to the whales in these seas, are different from those which are found on the other side of the continent; so are 14. the limpets, clams, muscles, &c. consequently they are higlily interesting. In crossing the Pacific, the Sandwich Islands are sometimes visited; the shells from whence are in great request. To the soutli of the line, is the rich group of the Marquesas and the So- ciety Islands, from whence we have maiiy beau- tiful and rare shells, chiefly collected by Circum- navigators. Here the commanders of whale ships, &c. are particularly requested to pay every attention, and to gather up whatever is strewed on the beach, and the limpets, which adhere to the rocks, as well as what land and fresh water shells they can possibly procure. The shells from Dusky Bay, New Zealand, and all along the coast, also the reefs about New Holland, particularly the western part, King George Island, the Marian Islands, Port Jack- son, &c. will most amply remunerate the trouble 15 of collecting: and let me here state, that for several years I paid more than two hundred per annum chiefly for shells, &c. to gentlemen holding the first situations * under Government. The finest lot of a peculiar species ever brought to this country, was gathered by two bovs in Western Port. A whaler off the coast sent a boat on shore to search for fresh provisions, as birds, animals, &c. whilst the crew were shoot- ing, the boat grounded among stones and weeds, and during the time before she floated, the bovs left in charge of her, employed themselves in ga- thering the shells entangled in the weeds and about the stones. On their return home they ♦ One ofthe finest collections of shells I ever bought, -was from a Lieut. Governor of St. Helena, who was a connoisseur. He assured me that he obtained them from South Sea ships and Dutch, Danish, and Portuguese, Indiamen, whose commanders,, wanting refreshments, found it their interest to present him •with any tine shells they might possess. 16 brought thera to me ; and though I gave tliem the price they asked, I thought it not only right, but political, to present thera with a guinea each, to stimulate them to look out for shells on another voyage. I am sorry here to add, that it is, generally, only the boys or the cook, who notice these rarities, and who make a few pounds by them every voyage. FaoMTongataboo, oneof the Friendly Islands, Bligh's Island*, and the cluster of Fejees, some varieties of extraordinary beauty have been brought. « Named after iU discoverer, Admiral B!igh. His lady pos- sessed one of the finest collections of shells in Europe, The admiral having twice circumnavigated the globe, and being af- terwards Governor of New South Wales, she was enabled to e.irich her collection with the most rare and valuable species from all parts of the world. This estensive and fine collection is now in my possession. 17 From New Caledonia, and tlie vast ^oup of the New Hebrides, we possess no shells whate- ver; but from the coasts of Papua and New Guinea, some very rare varieties have been re- ceived. The shells from the Chinese seas are gene- rally interesting; from the Philippine Islands we have many fine varieties: the Dutch, Por- tuguese, and Danes, have also contributed to our cabinets in this department. At Wampoc, or Canton, shells from Japan, Formosa, and Haynan, may be purchased in shops of little im- portance. If any of the commanders or officers of our China ships would take the trouble to employ some Chinese fishermen to collect land and fresh-water shells, he might, for three or tour dollars, depend upon obtaining whatever the country produced : and were he to extend his order to ten dollars for sea-shells, he would be amply repaid on his return home. The very commonest productions in China have been ne- D IS glected ; they ma}* probably, froi^ theii- constant occuiTence or uninviting appearance, have not been thought worthy of notice: whilst on the o- ther hand, carved nautili, and large green shells, which have been ground, (and therefore injur- ed), to display their pearly lustre, have been seized with avidity, but have failed to repay the collector, or gratify the connoisseur. Gold and diamonds, (which are found in th^ soil of the rivers), have been brought from Bor- neo, but we are totally ignorant of what shells may be produced there. From the cluster of the Celebes, we have a few fine varieties, which have been noticed by of- ficers of ships of war, or circumnavigators ; but, strange as it may appear, the Author of the Narrative on the Peliew Islands has not noticed or described one single shell from thence. One of the rarest and finest shells ever seen was brought up in the mud sticking to an Indiaraan's 19 anchor, when getting under weigh, in the straits of Macassar. From the islands in the Archipelago between the north coast of New Holland and the conti- nent, but more especially from Timor and Am- boyna, many valuable shells, as well as beauti- ful corals, have been brought. A Maylay fisherman was employed for a fort- night by a friend of mine, whilst at Timor, from which I reaped considerable profit. From Java, Sumatra, and the INIalay shore, many shells have been brought, but by far the finest were collected at Bencoolen, by a gentle- man high in the civil service of the Honorable East India Company, who employed a fisher- man at my request. From the Nicobar Islands, where there was once a Europeam settlement, some very superior 20 shells have been collected ; but since the time the English left the place, no more have been received in this country : they are consequently in very great request. The same may also be said of the Andamans, from whence very fine and rare cones, limpets, and chitons (boat-like shells), vi^hich adhere to the rocks, have been brought. A SMALL thorny shell, (nerite), resembling a whelk, of a black unsightly appearance, is found on the coasts which form the bay of Bengal and the entrances of the Ganges; this shell is in request : but there must be many interesting va- rieties on these shores, as well as land and fresh- water shells, from the interior, of which we at present know very little. A FEW years ago I received, by the kind re- membrance of a gentleman, some very fine small snail-shells, {hdiceis), from Seringapatam, which 21 are the only varieties of this species hitherto known. Madras presents such a surf-beaten coast, that no perfect shells are found there ; but ma- ny fine varieties, which were sent from Tran- quebar, a Danish settlement, have enriched the cabinets of Europe. We now come to-the famed island of Ceylon*, well known to Concholot^ists, for the rare vo- « When Ceylon was taken, in the yejir 1735, the collection belonging to the Dutch Governor was purchased for me. It contained some of the finest shells that ever came to Eng- land. During the last ten years, I do not hesitate to say, that i. 10,000 worth of shells have been sent from this island, more than two-thirds of which have passed through my hands. The ■natives who make up colleciions in fine partitioned boxes, scarcely ever put a good shell into them : the best shells they sell alone. A peculiar shell from these seas is held in great estima- tion in China, and is sometimes mounted in pure gold : it is re • puted to add great virtue to medicine administered in it! 22 lutes found on its coast, and for the land and fresh water shells from the inv.erior. The di- vers employed in the pearl-fishery bring up fine and numerous varieties. On the Malabar coast, at Tellicherry, I pick- ed up some beautiful sea- weed, and a few small cowries of little importance. At Old-woman Island, near Bombay, I found a fine, though small. Weaver's-shuttle, (India volva)^ which shows that it is an inhabitant of the Indian seas. Hence, until we approach the Persian Gulph, I am not aware that any shells, worth notice, are to be found. From the sands and shores of the adjacent coast, many extremely fine va- rieties have been gathered, wliich bear the dis- tinguished names of the /*er*m« Crohsn, Valuta Gambronica, &c. The coasts of the great island Madagascar abound in shells, but they are generally large. and of little value: some rare varieties are, however, occasionally found. Of the land- shells we are quite ig'norant ; we are therefore ansious to obtain them. A ship, in which the Author was an officer, sounded on a coral reef of great extent, in the channel of iMosanibique, from whence, and nearer the island, he pro- cured some fine specimens. The Red Sea and its islands produce man^- fine shells. Lord Valentia, (now Earl Mount- nurris), durinj:;; his tiavels in those part*, dis- covered some new varieties. I take this oppor- tunity of acknowledging; his Lordship's genero- sity, in presenting me with his duplicates. We know notliing of the shells that occur on liie eastern coast of Al'rica, until we arrive at Zanzibar and ]Mosambique : from these coasts \\ e have received a few interesting varieties, and immense quiuuilies of the commonest class of cow ries, which are biought liome by the ships 24 that g*o on these coasts for right whales. A few rare fresh water and inland productions, as well as corals, have also been collected. The jaws of the whale in these seas are often covered with curious barnacles ; numerous chitons may be found, with limpets, amongst the rocks. The Comora islands, particularly Johanna, abound in common covnries. I have seen large heaps of them shovelled up at low water; and, as a peculiar variety, which is found here, passes for currency in Africa, small vessels take in or load considerable quantites of them. The Isles of Bourbon and France are highly and deservedly celebrated for shells — and it may be remarked, that whatever is produced there, is the most beautiful of its species, A curious dis- torted land-shell, which is scarce and extremely interesting, is peculiar to these islands. The of- ficers sometimes amuse themselves in fishing for tJiese beautiful productions ; both ladies and gen- 25 tlemen from thence have made considerable pro- fit by the shells they brought with them. The ship which took out the first settlers to Algoa-bay, on her return home, brought me ma- ny interesting land and fresh water shells, which the commander was kind enough to collect. On the coast about the Cape, as well as on the rocks and islands in the bays, some good varie- ties have been found, particularly limpets and large zebra-striped land-shells, which are ten- der, and require great care in packing. I HAVE now taken the navigator through most of the seas, and have briefly enumerated the pla- ces where he is most likely to discover fine and rare shells. I shall conclude this part of my subject in his own language, advising him to keep a good look out. 26 AMBERGRIS. AS this substance is a marine production, I have thought proper to introduce some account of it here. This delicious perfume is, without doubt, the produce of the sperm whale*, and probably is the result of a disease in the digestive organs. Captain Poole, in pushing a lance through the blubber, and near the passage of the abdomen, felt it strike against something hard, which he thought was a stone, and in drawing it out, the edge was found to be broken. Having cut into the intestine canal, he perceived that the lance « The fibres of the skin from the head of this whale, are of great tenacity ; excellent ropes may therefore be manufactured of them, especially for situations exposed to much friction : it is said that thcj are stronger tliau catgut, and mate better fiddlc- striuj;^- 27 had struck against two large pieces of Amber- gris. There is every reason to suppose, that this substance sometimes stops up the passage of the abdomen, and ultimately occasions the death of the animal. Many other instances have have been record- ed of Ambergris having been found in the sperm- whale, and also on the coast, after a sick fish has been seen near the shore. / to tlie inside of the skin, to prevent its adheriag to the body. 37 off close to the body ; then, pushing the joint from the outside inwards, the skin will easily separate from the flesh, which must be scraped off the bones. It may then be pulled over the neck and part of the head, as far as the eyes ; the head must be pressed inwards and separated from the neck. In the back of the skull a hole should be made with a penknife, of sufficient size to admit an instrument resembling an ear pick- er, but rather larger, with which the brains, eyes, tongue, and the fleshy membranes may be extracted, taking care not to disturb the bones of the head. The skin must be very carefully examined, (particularly about the vent and rump) and every piece of flesh or fat removed, and the feathers placed in exact order. As the skin in this state is extremely suscep- tible of enlargement, the greatest precaution must be used not to extend it. The preservative powder, or soap, is now to be carefully intro- duced into every part ; and if any appearance of 38 moisture remains, it should be completely ab- sorbed by a linen cloth, and the powder again applied. It is necessary to observe, that the skin must not be hung up to dry, unless a string is passed under it, from the rump to the head, so that it may hang on the string, and not by any part of the skin, which would otherwise stretch beyond its natural size. The skin may now be prepared for packing, by placing the wings and extremities in their proper positions, and laying smooth the plu- mage : a little cotton may be put in the inside, and sewed up, to preserve the form, after which it should be carefully folded in paper, or placed between the leaves of a book, and kept free from damp. CHAPTER V. On Reptiles. IN treating upon this subject, I shall princi- pally confine myself to the methods that may be employed in catching and skinning rep- tiles. The fangs with which they defend themselves, or attack their victims, are, in venomous ser- pents, placed in the outside of the jaw, and so fixed, that they may be erected or depressed at pleasure ; they are mostly from half an inch to three quarters long, with a very small slit at the point, and generally a little crooked. 40 Serpents may be caught with a wire-noose, fixed to the end of a pole, by passing it over their heads. Thus I have brought tliem to a convenient place; and, vpith a pair of forceps, a bit of pointed wood may be introduced into their mouths, to extend their jaws, in order to ex- amine them. They are easily killed by a slight blow on the head. The best method of taking «fF the skin, is to make an incision at the vent, a few inches in length, or even up to the head. The skin may then be separated, by introducing the fingers be- twixt it and the body ; or, if the scales are not large, it may be skinned in the same manner as is commonly practised with eels. The body must then be cut off from the head, and the brains,. together with the eyes, and all the flesJjy parts must be taken out, without disturbing the fangs, jaws, or tongue. The skin may then be pulled down as far as the tail, which should be 41 cut off an inch or two from the extremit}-. The body may be preserved in spirits, in order to show the moveable ribs and flexibility of the spine. The skin, thus freed from the body, must be examined and cleared from flesh and fat, and the head cleaned as well as possible. The preser- vative powder may be used where anj^ muscular ligaments or flesh remain, and the soap may be applied to the skin, which must then be hung up in the air. If, £ifter a day or two, any moisture should appear, it must be absorbed by a cloth, and more powder applied, until every part is dry. In these operations, the scales, &c. should be attended to, and if displaced by skin- ning or otherwise, they should be pressed into their exact position, before the skin is perfectly dry. Lizards, alligators, frogs, &c. &c. may be treated in the same manner. When the opera- tion is completed, the skin should be rolled up, and packed securely in paper, and afterwards sewed up in canvass. The spine of a common sized serpent may be easily broken with a sharp blow from a stick ; after which, I have witnessed them very vicious, boldly attackinj^ and biting whatever was op- posed to them. I ONCE drew a rattle-snake to a hog, which devoured it, notwithstanding its bite. Very large serpents, such as are thirty or forty feet long, are formidable beyond any ideas we can entertain. I have found it difficult to disengage one, not even four feet in length, that had coiled itself round my arm, when suspended by a wire to a nail in my door. CHAPTER VL On Quadrttpeds, AS it is often impossible to convey home the quadrupeds a traveller may meet with in visit- ing foreign lands, it becomes necessary to take off and preserve their skins ; many of which, es- pecially those from newly discovered countries, interest us extremely, either by their beauty or their novelty. There are few who have not seen a poulterer take the skin from a rabbit, or a butcher perform the same operation on a sheep or ox : a lesson from either of these persons would be of use to tlie traveller. In taking the skin from large or 44 sraall animals, the same process is required. The operation must commence by making a slit, of any length, along the belly, so as to give the greatest facility in using the fingers, or a knife, to sepa- rate the skin from the muscles, &c. The legs of small animals may be pressed inwards, and the skin stripped over them, inside out, great care being taken in passing the joints : the feet and tail must be preserved as vrell as possible, by cutting out the flesh, and preserving the hoofs, nails, or claws. The skin, freed from the extremities, and separated from the abdo- men, may be stripped over the back to the neck. Particular attention will be required in stripping it from the neck to the ears and the nose, from the latter of which it must be cut off at the termina- tion of the bone, carefully preserving tlie extre- mity. The skin, if necessary, may be cut under the jaw, as it can afterwai-ds be sewed up. The head of the animal may now be cut off, at the back of which a hole must be made to extiact 45 tlie brains ; it being desirable, in small animals, to disturb the skull bones as little as possible. The ears may be cut off close to the head, and afterwards cleaned. The eyelids, lips, jaws, and teeth must be preserved ; and every thing done to make the animal appear as if alive. It is well to keep the carcass as whole as pos- sible during the operation, to prevent the flow- ing of blood, &c. which would prove trouble- some to the operator. Towels and saw-dust should be at hand, to be used when wanted. The skin, now free, must be wiped clean, the membraneous and fleshy parts taken away, and the extremities, (particularly the head), kept as entire as possible, especially in small animals. The skin being now perfectly cleaned, may have the preservative soap and powder applied all over it : flax or bits of rag, well anointed with tlie soap, may be placed in tlie head, nostrils. 46 and about the hoo&, claws, and tail. It should then be laid out to dry for a day or -two ; and, on a second examination, where any moisture appears, it must be absorbed by a cloth, and more powder applied, until it is quite dry. The skin may now be stuffed with cotton, &c. and sewn up, to keep it in some degree in its na- tural form : or it may be rolled up and packed in canvass, and stowed away in a case or bar- rel. The bides of large animals, as oxen, seals, &c- &C. are often brought from remote parts with no other preparation than salt. When the preservative powder is used, the operator should be very careful not to leave any of it about, least a domestic animal should get to it and eat it. I once lost a beautiful monkey, which was poisoned by licking up a portion that was incautiously left. 47 The learner will do well to practise on a squir- rel, rabbit, fox, &c. and then he will be prepar- ed for the practical difficulties he may meet with in taking the skin from the feet, head, and tail of other animals. The remaining' parts of the operation are very easily performed. CHAPTER VII. On Plants, ^c THERE is scarcely a more interesting^ science than that of Botany; and though the traveller may not be a professed botanLst, yet he may be pleased with the endless variety of beautiful plants and flowers whi«h every country produ- ces, or gratified with the opportunity of enrich- ing our gardens and fields by the introduction of new varieties. How much has our agricultu- ral interest been benefitted by the inportation of varieties of grass, as lucem, clover, &c. and what do we not owe to him who first brought hither the potatoe ? The Japan rose, and many H 50 other exotics agree so well with this climate, that they may almost be said to be naturalized. The voyager, therefore, in distant climes, should not disregard any vegetable production. The corn, pulse, and roots that are used abroad in do- mestic economy, are highly worthy his attention, in a commercial point of view. There are two public institutions in this country for the recep- tion of whatever is brought from abroad. The board of agriculture, for grass and whatever be- longs to the economy of animals or man ; and the horticultural society, for seeds or cuttings of fruit trees, exotic plants, &c. where every at- tention will be paid to their growth and culture. Woods, bark, (dye woods), many are highly va- luable in commerce, and much in request. Lichens, (moss), some produce fine and perma- nent dyes, as the orchella, and are very valu- able; others are medicinal, and continually in request. 51 Gums— Their general use and value are well known; they always form an article of com- merce, and are used for an infinite number of purposes. Seeds of every sort, and any remarks relative to the plant, will be interesting. They must be gathered and kept dry. Plants, leaves, or flowers, may be preserved be- tween the leaves of a book, forming a hortus- siccus : these are collected and presersed with very little trouble, and may be considered in two points of view:— First, as an agreeable amusement ; and next, as gi^^ng that infor- mation which may become highly beneficial to society. CHAPTER VIII. On Minerals. IT may be necessary to say something on mi- nerals, in the pursuit of which the greater part of my life has been employed. A traveller who is unacquainted with metals, should procure a few in a rough state, and, by comparison, he would soon know how to discriminate one from the other. A small book which the author pub- lished, called ** Familiar Lessons on MrsEiu- LOGY," with colored plates, would greatly faci- litate his inquiries, and cannot be too strongly 54 recommended to those who are desirous to know any thing of minerals. Pieces of rocks, with the names of the places from whence they came, would be always inter- esting, as we are unacquainted whether many islands, head-lands, &c. are granite, limestone, or volcanic. Collections of rocks, with particu- lars concerning them, are highly desirable, in order to determine the relative connection of mountains, islands, &c. The soil at the bottom of streams or rivers, if gravel, generally partakes of interesting sub- jects. In India, precious stones occur in such soil: in Africa and South America, gold, plati- na, diamonds, rubies, sapphires, and topazes, belong to, and are always found in gravel beds, alluvial soil, as is Tin, in the island of Banca. Silver, lead, copper, iron, &c. occur in veins. 55 Whereter there are mines, (subterraneous ex- cavations), metals of some sort or other are pro- duced; and it surely is not burthensorae to the intellect to know lead ore from copper, or silver from lead, or gold from iron, or diamonds from pebbles. Permit me to advise the traveller to look in- to the book of nature, which is always open, and learn what he can. A little information on this head may prove highly advantageous, as the wealth of nations mostly depends on the produce of their mines. It is earnestly to be recommend- ed, wherever he goes, to bring from thence some of the rocky substances, and if any other present themselves, he should endeavour to possess him- self of them, which he might examine at leisure, with tlie simple instrument the blowpipe, the use and mode of managing which is explained in a 56 small Treatise* intended to accompany the Les- sons on Mineralogy. * How to detect gold when adulterated, is particularlv ex plained ; the book will be found useful to those who go on the coatt of Africa, South America, China, &c. tr. ItDonaH, Printer, Pemberlon Ron, Gongh Square. SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION LIBRARIES 3 9088 00566 1970 ■^ifi 5«^