Chapter 18 - Page 2

seemed, without, some ostrich nest. But within,
so intricate, and grotesque, its brown alleys and cells, that the
interior of no walnut was more labyrinthine.

And here, strewn about, all dusty and disordered, were the precious
antiques, and curios, and obsoletes, which to Oh-Oh were dear as the
apple of his eye, or the memory of departed days.

The old man was exceedingly importunate, in directing attention to his
relics; concerning each of which, he had an endless story to tell.
Time would fail; nay, patience, to repeat his legends. So, in order,
here follow the most prominent of his rarities:--

The identical Canoe, in which, ages back, the god Unja came from
the bottom of the sea.
(Very ponderous; of lignum-vitae wood).

A stone Flower-pot, containing in the original soil, Unja's last
footprints, when he embarked from Mardi for parts unknown.
(One foot-print unaccountably reversed).

The Jaw-bones of Tooroorooloo, a great orator in the days of Unja.
(Somewhat twisted).

A quaint little Fish-hook.
(Made from the finger-bones of Kravi the Cunning).

The mystic Gourd; carved all over with cabalistic triangles, and
hypogrifs; by study of which a reputed prophet, was said to have
obtained his inspiration.
(Slightly redolent of vineyards).

The complete Skeleton of an immense Tiger-shark; the bones of a
Pearl-shell-diver's leg inside.
(Picked off the reef at low tide).

An inscrutable, shapeless block of a mottled-hued, smoke-dried
wood.
(Three unaccountable holes drilled through the middle).

A sort of ecclesiastical Fasces, being the bony blades of nine sword-
fish, basket-hilted with shark's jaws, braided round and tasseled
with cords of human hair.
(Now obsolete).

The mystic Fan with which Unja fanned himself when in trouble.
(Woven from the leaves of the Water-Lily).

A Tripod of a Stork's Leg, supporting a nautilus shell, containing
the fragments of a bird's egg; into which, was said to have
been magically decanted the soul of a deceased chief.
(Unfortunately crushed in by atmospheric pressure).

Two clasped Right Hands, embalmed; being those of twin warriors,
who thus died on a battle-field.
(Impossible to sunder).

A curious Pouch, or Purse, formed from the skin of an Albatross'
foot, and decorated with three sharp claws, naturally pertaining
to it.
(Originally the property of a notorious old Tooth-per-Tooth).

A long tangled lock of Mermaid's Hair, much resembling the curling
silky fibres of the finer sea-weed.
(Preserved between fins of the dolphin).

A Mermaid's Comb for the toilet. The stiff serrated crest of a
Cook Storm-petrel
(Oh-Oh was particularly curious concerning