a 
On thé Economical Uses of some species of Testacea. 67 
Besides being used as an ornament, pearls were formerly in high 
estimation as a medicine, and given in cordial potions ; but as they 
differ in no respect from any other calcareous earth, they have been 
long neglected, and are now, we believe, never administered.* 
ladies, however, still use a cosmetic under the name of pearl pow- 
der, but which is, notwithstanding, understood to be metallic. 
The most remarkable pearls of modern times are, one which was 
in the possession of Philip IJ, in 1574, as large as a pigeon’s egg ; 
one mentioned by Tavernier in the hands of the Emperor of Persia 
in 1633, and which was purchased of an Arab for the extraordinary 
sum of £110,400; and that of the Emperor Rudolph, mentioned 
by Boetius, called La Peregrina, of the shape of a pear, weighing 
thirty carats.¢~ In Europe, in common with all jewels, they are sold 
by the carat. In Asia, the weight differs in different states. At 
Bombay and Madras pearls are valued by two kinds of weights, real 
and nominal ; by the former they are weighed, by the latter sold.t 
In the former country, pearls of a “white water” are most sought 
after, but the Indians and Arabs prefer those of a “ yellow water.”’}| 
Artificial pearls, of which the Romans appear to have been igno- 
rant, are made of thin glass beads lined with the scales of, or a white 
powder from the belly of the Bleak, (Cyprinus Alburnus, Linn.) 
and filled with wax. ‘To obtain a pound of scales, four thousand 
fish are necessary, and these do not produce four ounces of the es- 
sence d’orient, as the perlaceous substance is termed. At St. John 
de Maizel in the Challonnois is a manufactory in which-ten thousand 
pearls are made daily.7 From the facility and accuracy with which 
these are manufactured, the price of the real article in modern times 
has much declined. A handsome necklace of Ceylon pearls smaller 
than a pea, costs from seven hundred and fifty to thirteen hundred 
and fifty dollars ; but one of pearls about the size of peppercorns 
may be had for about sixty five dollars ; the pearls in the former sell-— 
ing at five dollars each ; those of the latter at thirty seven cents. 
The importation of mother of pearl shells in England in 1832, 
amounted to seven hundred twenty one thousand five hundred and 
twenty seven pounds weight.** 
* Hooper’s Med. Dic. Art. ae peo + Chalmers, Art. Peart. 
: Kelly's: lars Cambist: Vol. = pp. 92. 
rt. Pea 
+ Bae: IL 16. ** MeCulloch, Art. Peart, 
