, 
108 Shells as evidence of the Migrations. 
Cooke, in 1801 (op. ct, vol. i., p. 425), also speaks 
of the Manchurian pearls as an article of commerce, 
together with a plant called ginseng.’ 
In Kamtchatka, pearl fisheries are recorded from the 
south end of the peninsula (Lopatka), and from Nijni 
Kamtchatsk, on the east coast: these are possibly fresh- 
water fisheries. Pearls have also been found at the 
Kurile Islands, and at Lebashja, on the south coast of the 
Sea of Okhotsk, but these were probably from sea shells, 
Mytilus edults or Machaera costata, as no Unios are 
recorded from these places,'” 
An interesting reference to very early intercourse 
between north-eastern Asia and China is quoted by 
l.acouy:erie in his work already cited (p. 353, note 195). 
It appears that the “Shih y hi” (kiv. 5) mentions a 
mission of a Nélé country in 193 b.c., from beyond Fusang 
(Saghalin). Dr. G. Schlegel identifies this with the 
country of the Tchuktchis, in which Lacouperie concurs. 
No information is given as to the object of the mission, 
but it seems probable that it was for the purposes of 
trade. If so, it is not unlikely that the envoys would 
learn of the appreciation of the pearl by the Chinese— 
who were wel] acquainted with the gem by this date 
and benefiting by the knowledge, they might have in- 
stituted pear! fisheries on their own account. The present 
'°2 Ginseng (Pumax schénseng) is a native of Tartary and Northern 
China, growing at one time abundantly in Manchuria, but its great use in 
China has caused it to become scarce. It is a low herbaceous plant with 
forked roots, which the Chinese imagine resembles the human form, and is 
supposed to ward off all diseases, It is slightly bitter and aromatic, but is 
not of much repute with European doctors. /anax guingnefolia, a mative 
of North America, is sometimes substituted for it (Smith, ** Domestic 
Botany,” 1871, p. 362). Ginseng is used by the Indians of Canada, Virginia, 
South Carolina, etc., along with Snake root. (Cooke, of. eé/., i, pp. 32, 
69 and 79). 
*#5 Von essling, of. «7/., p. 204, 
