2 PEARLS [CH. 



in the scriptures have probably arisen during the 

 many translations and rewritings of the books. 



In the New Testament, on the other hand, con- 

 stant reference is made to pearls. There are, how- 

 ever, traditions which refer to the ancient Hebrews 

 having knowledge of the true value of the gem. 



In the Indian Seas pearls Avere known many 

 centuries before Christ. Perhaps first collected as 

 mere curiosities or as objects of some superstitious 

 regard, they gradually became articles of greater and 

 greater value, and the proud possessions of the Princes 

 of the East. References occur in the literature of 

 India which are of considerable antiquity. Pearls 

 are mentioned in the books of the Brahmans (about 

 500 B.C.) and are associated in Hindu literature with 

 Krishna. 



The Chinese records go still further back and 

 Kunz and Stevenson relate that a book, the Shu King 

 (2350 — 625 B.C.), states that in the 23rd century B.C. 

 Yli received as tribute, oyster pearls from the river 

 Hwai. The early Chinese pearls were evidently 

 taken from fresh-water molluscs. 



The pearl fisheries of Ceylon and also of India 

 and the Persian Gulf, must be of very great antiquity, 

 but when and by whom discovered, are questions the 

 answers to which are buried in the annals of the 

 past. It is highly probable that the fishing was 

 carried on 2000 years ago, in much the same simple 



