942 OYSTERS, AND ALL ABOUT THEM. 



When we consider the origin of pearls and their 

 identity with nacre, it will not surprise us to learn that 

 these valued ornaments are abundantly produced by many 

 species. 



One species indeed, abundant in our rivers (already 

 alluded to), has been long celebrated for this production, 

 and according to Pennant there were formerly regular 

 pearl-fisheries established on many of our rivers. 



As early indeed as the time of the invasion of our 

 island by 'Julius Caesar, British pearls were celebrated ; 

 and, according to Suetonius, one inducement at least to 

 the descent of the great Roman and his legions, on our 

 island, was the acquisition of these valuables not that I 

 credit such a story ; statesmen and warriors are influenced 

 by far different motives in their plans of usurpation and 

 conquest. It would, however, appear that Caesar dedi- 

 cated a breast-plate adorned with British pearls to Venus, 

 in her temple ; but Pliny, who speaks of the pearls of our 

 island, refers to those very specimens (which were small 

 and ill-coloured) as a proof of their inferiority. 



In far later days, however, several rivers were noted, 

 among these were the Esk and the Conway. In the days 

 of Camden (who died in 1623), the latter river had not lost 

 its reputation ; and Sir Richard Wynn of Gwydir, chamber- 

 lain to Catherine, queen to Charles the Second, is said to 

 have presented her Majesty with a Conway pearl, which, 

 says Pennant, is to this day honoured with a place in the 

 regal crown. 



The river Irt, in Cumberland, was also famous for 

 pearls, and the circumnavigator, Sir John Hawkins, had a 

 patent for the pearl fishery of that river. 



Nor is it to the rivers of England alone that pearl- 

 bearing mussels are limited. Ireland is not without her 



