104 Shells as evidence of the Migrations. 
All these myths seem to be modifications of the 
old idea of social relations between pearl-oysters and 
sharks, or of the curious story quoted by Pliny (Bk. ix., 
ch. 55) from Megasthenes that pearl-oysters lived in 
communities, just like swarms of bees, each of them being 
governed by one remarkable for its size and great age 
(or splendour), and which at the same time possessed 
marvellous skill in keeping its subjects out of danger ; 
the divers, it is said, took especial care to find these, so 
that the others might easily be taken. 
The art of artificial pearl-making seems to have been 
practised by the Chinese for several centuries. Mr. F. 
Hague, British Consul at Ningpo, informs us that “there 
is a note that at the commencement of the seventh 
century, pearls were made of a composition or medicine. 
The art may have been lost, or it may be the same as that 
7 25 
now employed at, and which originated at, Canton. In 
conjunction with Dr. Mc Gowan, an American physician 
resident at Ningpo, the method pursued by the Chinese 
with the “ Mussel-pearl” was carefully investigated, and 
excellent accounts of this interesting industry have been 
published.” The practice of the art is carried on in two 
villages near the city of Teht-sing (Titsin) in the northern 
part of Chihkiang (Chekiang), in a silk-producing region. 
In May or June, quantities of large freshwater mussels 
(Dipsas plicatus) ave brought from the Tahu, a lake in 
Kiang-su, some thirty miles distant, and after a few days’ 
respite in bamboo cages in water, various matrices are 
introduced between the animal and the shell by means 
of a bifurcated bamboo stick. After a sufficient number 
has been treated they are placed in canals, pools, and 
streams, In about a year the matrices become incrusted 
® Jhid., p. 282. 
"© Lbid., pp. 280-4; and McGowan, Journ, of Soc. of Arts, ii, pp. 72-5. 
