110 CONCHOLOGIST’S COMPANION. 
for ornamental decorations which appears natural to 
mankind in both a savage and civilized state; for, 
whilst uncultivated people adorn themselves with 
feathers and with shells,—pearls and jewels, among 
luxurious nations, are generally the insignia of 
riches or of rank. The former are undoubtedly 
the most perfect and beautiful of precious stones. 
Every other description owes something to the hand 
of man; but the ‘‘ Margion” emerges in full beauty 
from its ocean bed, where maternal Nature silently 
and secretly performs her work, and gives to it a lustre 
and a perfection, which her sister Art has frequently 
sought to emulate, but can never fully equal. 
How many impressive recollections are associated 
with this little gm! It recalls to mind hours of toil 
and watching—busy days and sleepless nights—jour- 
neyings over land and sea—exotic climes, and 
foreign manners. But there is yet another, and far 
more interesting point of view, in which this “ off- 
spring of the light” may be regarded. ‘“ For the 
kingdom of heaven,” said our Saviour, ‘‘ is like a 
merchantman seeking goodly Pearls; who, when he 
had found one Pearl of great price, went and sold all 
that he had, and bought it.”—Matt. xii. 45. Thus 
admirably illustrating this important truth: that the 
atmost energy and devotedness ought to prompt the 
exertions of a Christian, for the attainment of that 
heavenly treasure, which can never fade away nor be 
