PLATE LXXIII. 



he dedicated to, and hung up in the temple of Venus Genetrix. A 

 proper offering to the goddess of beauty, who sprung from the sea. 

 I cannot omit mentioning, that notwithstanding the classics honour 

 our pearl with their notice, yet they report them to be small and ill 

 coloured ; an imputation that in general they are still liable to. Pliny 

 says, " that a red small kind was found about the Thracian Bospho- 

 rus, in a shell called Mya, but does not give it any mark to ascertain 

 the species." 



The Mya Margaritifera is found only in great rivers, and chiefly in 

 those of the northern parts of Great Britain. Da Costa mentions the 

 Tees, Alne, North and South Tyne, Tweed, Dee, Don, &c. and 

 adds, generally inhabits the deeper parts, as gulphs, whirlpools, &c. 



The fishermen in the neighbourhood of the river Conway some- 

 times collect those shells, and extract the pearl, but as they are now 

 become scarce, and the price inconsiderable, the fishery affords them 

 little encouragement. 



