Distribution of Pearls and Pearl-shell. 97 
invthe= Wribute of Yu “(Shoo King, pt. ii: bk. 1,),* 
we find it stated that Yii received as tribute, “ oyster- 
pearls and fish” and “ baskets full of deep azure silks,” 
from the wild tribes about the river Hwae (or Hwat), 
between the Ho and Keang rivers [Kiangsu, FE. China] ; 
and from the district of King-chow he received “ strings of 
pearls that were not quite round,” together with “ baskets 
filled with deep azure and purple silken fabrics.” “ 
Though seemingly acquainted with the local fresh- 
water pearls at a very early period, it would appear that 
the marine pearl was unknown to the Chinese until about 
400 B.C., when commercial intercourse between China and 
the west had become fully established. 
According to Lacouperie,” to whom we are indebted 
for much valuable information concerning the pearl-trade 
in China, traders from the Indian Ocean (Erythrean Sea) 
arrived in the Gulf of Kiao-tchou (South Shantung) in 
the 7th century B.c. They established two colonies at 
this place and entered into trade relations with cities in 
Shantung, Shansi, Shensi, Kiangsu, Honan, and other 
states. Though pearls are not mentioned among the 
objects they introduced at this period, it is not a little 
curious to find that their sphere of influence coincides in 
a remarkable manner with the area where pearls are said 
to have been first known in China. This fact is significant 
and would seem to suggest that it was through the 
influence of these traders that the Chinese commenced to 
7 See translation by Dr. James Legge, in ‘‘ The Chinese Classics,” 
1865, vol. iii., pt. i., pp. 107 and 116, 
77 We have no means of ascertaining the source of the purple colour 
of the silks used as tribute, but the point is of interest in connection with the 
celebrated purple of the ancient Tyrians. Is it possible that this famous dye 
had been introduced already into China ? 
7S Lacouperie, of. ce/. 
