The ocean / By P. H. Gosse.

  • Gosse, Philip Henry, 1810-1888.
Date:
[pref. 1845]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: The ocean / By P. H. Gosse. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    359/388 (page 335)
    into the boiling surf, or impale him upon the sharp processes of the rocks. The best nests are obtained from such gloomy caves as these ; for there are se- veral qualities, the best being white, or nearly trans- parent, as if composed of threads of isinglass ; others, which are inferior, are coarser in texture, darker in colour, streaked with blood, or mixed with fea- thers, or defiled with the food and ordure of the young. When procured, they are simply dried in the shade, and packed in boxes, each containing a picul, equal to about one hundred and thirty-three pounds. In the Chinese markets, they fetch prices varying according to the quality, from 2501. up to above 900/. sterling per picul; the latter price being at the rate of nearly seven pounds sterling per pound, and consequently almost equal to double the weight of the article in silver! The amount shipped from the archipelago is estimated by Mr. Crawfurd at 1818 piculs, 242,400 lbs., worth to the sellers at the islands, 284,290/. In defenceless and remote situations, exposed to lawless plunder, the caverns are of little value ; but in other more favourable localities, the clear profit is very great; for it is computed that the whole expense of collecting, dry- ing, and packing, does not much exceed one tenth part of the whole amount. The nests are used in China, by the luxurious, in thickening rich soups ; but though considered by them a great delicacy, have been but little esteemed by Europeans, who have tasted the preparations at Chinese tables. The substance of which they are composed is now generally agreed to be a sea-weed