4 PEARLS [CH. 



taken place. The Roman empire was beginning to 

 rise and very soon this mighty power became involved 

 in wars with those countries where the knowledge 

 of the pearl was general and its value as treasure 

 was recognised. By 50 B.C. the pearl had become 

 very popular in Rome. The Romans were indeed 

 strangely affected by pearls, and the gem was adopted 

 as a kind of fetish — a sign of pomp and luxury. The 

 value of the pearl became extraordinarily great and 

 laws were made forbidding the wearing of pearls by 

 individuals who had not attained to a certain rank. 

 Dresses were simply covered with the gem and even 

 animals wore necklaces. It is often said that the 

 presence of pearls in the molluscs of the rivers of 

 the British Islands, played some part in bringing 

 Julius Caesar to our shores. It is certain that in 

 those days the pearl was fished in England and in 

 this respect the following quotations are interesting : 



From Caius Plinius Secundus. 



In Britain, it is certain that small and badly coloured pearls are 

 found, since the Emperor Julius wished it to be understood that the 

 breastplate which he dedicated to Venus Geuetrix in her temple was 

 made of British pearls. Lib. ix. 557. 

 From Caius Julius Soliiius. 



Dat et India margaritas, dat et litus Britannicum ; sicut divus 

 Julius thoracem, quern Veneri Genetrici in templum ejus dicavit, ex 

 Britannieis margaritis factum, subjecta inscriptione testatus est. 

 C. L. iii. 



From Tacitus. 



Britain bears gold, silver and other metals as the reward of 



