CHAPTER ITT. 
The Geographical Distribution of the use of 
Pearls and Pearl-shell. 
For many centuries pearls have been objects of 
commerce between nations, and from their peculiar 
beauty and splendour they have been held in high estt- 
mation among many peoples, civilised and barbarian. 
Superstitious reverence in one form or another has also 
been accorded them, and they have been considered as 
symbols of purity, beauty, and nobility, besides being 
regarded as emblematical of conjugal bonds. More 
curious still is the fact that for ages pearls or pearl- 
shells have been supposed to possess valuable medicinal 
qualities, and have been used in medicine, either as a 
powder or as one of the chief ingredients of pills, es- 
pecially in Oriental countries. 
Regarding the origin of pearls many wild and ex- 
travagant ideas have been advanced in the past by 
different peoples, one of the most curious of these notions 
being the belief that they were formed from drops of rain 
falling into the gaping valves of the pearl-shell. This 
“congealed dew-drop” theory is remarkable for its wide 
distribution. It was current among the ancient people of 
