Hong Kong, China April 1854 12th Dredging in the Channel of Hong Kong Harbor, on a shelly bottom in from 6 to 10 fathoms. Several interesting living shells were attained - Dentalia; Lecca and Me- culla of their species; a large Eulina, etc. two fine Ophirura, a few additional Crabs, an Octopus - and a curious fish- It blew very hard and the operations were conducted with some difficulty, and no little wetting. 13th. Spent in arranging and preparing Specimens. 14th. Being confined to my room by a cold, affecting my lungs, making breath- ing at time painful, and attended with cough (the result of the work of the 12th.) - I took the opportunity to make up my correspondence for the next mail: writ- ing to, among others, MM. Sars, Petit, Dana, and Agassiz. 15th. Prepared some unfinished tracts on the Mar. Ins. of S. Carolina...to send home for publication. 16th. Sunday Today being Easter, the day was observed on shore, and on board numerous ves- Hong Kong, China April 1854 sels in the harbor. We had divine service on board. I am still confined to my room. 17th Working at the copy of my report; and in making lists of animals likely to be met with in the Pacific, from works in my libra- ry. 18th. Mr Kerr and myself went to the oppo- site shore in a Sandpan, and it being a fine day, (the first for a fortnight or more) we enjoyed ourselves much: he, in taking Sketches of the mountains around, the clear weather affording an opportunity; and I in capturing certain pugnacious Ocyxods, of which I found two fine species on the sandy shore, in their holes. On re- turning I hit upon a good method of killing these crabs, as well as other kinds which are in the habit of chew- ing their spite by kicking off their leg and arms when put in alcohol, so as to spoil them for Specimens. A sharp point being introduced into the body at the place where the extremity of the abdo- men is applied, passes directly through the large principal ganglion, or brain, thus putting them quickly "hors de combat" This author is not available in many cases. The best way is to let the acid come down his own throat. (C.W.S. May 1854)