106 Shells as evidence of the Migrations. 
pricking mussels?” In view of the fact that the Chinese 
retain, with few alterations, the arts and customs of their 
ancestors, these suggestions are not at all improbable. 
In this connection it will be of interest to notice the 
particular skill possessed by the Chinese in drilling holes 
in pearls. This, as pointed out by Lacouperie (of. cz, 
p. 241, note 1037), they may have learned from the pearl- 
traders of Hormuz who were celebrated for their ability 
in this respect, and to whom Ceylon pearls were sent for 
that purpose. 
A\t what period pearls were first appreciated in Japan 
isnot known. The occurrence of pearls on the coasts of 
that country is repeatedly alluded to in ancient works 
relating to Japan. According to Kunz and Stevenson,” 
they are mentioned in the Nihonki, of the eighth century, 
the oldest Japanese history. Dr. T. Nishikawa also states 
they were used in Japan for ornamental purposes more 
than a thousand years ago, Large pearls derived from 
the abalone, or //a/rotzs, are found in images of Buddha 
made in 300 A.D. Freshwater pearls, from zpsas and 
Unio, appear to have been also used." In Marco Polo’s 
time these people still carried on the Chinese custom of 
placing pearls in the mouth of the dead. We learn from 
this famous traveller that “in the island of Chipan-gu 
(the kingdom of Japan), the Chinese Jih-pan-Kweée, rose- 
coloured pearls were abundant, and quite as valuable as 
the white ones,” that “some of the dead were buried and 
others were burnt,” and “when a body was burnt they put 
one of the rose-coloured pearls in the mouth, for such is 
no 
their custom These coloured pearls were doubtless 
derived from conch-shells, 
Kunz and Stevenson, of. ct/., ps 147. 
O* Shid., \. 414. 
® Colonel Henry Yule, C.B., ** The Book of Ser Marco Polo” (Book 
lii., ch, ii), vol. ii., p. 200. 
