48 LIVING CREATURES. 



10. PEARLS AND PEARL-MAKERS. 



IN the law book of the ancient Hebrews, which is 

 called the Talmud, is found a story which illustrates 

 the value of the pearl. 



When Abraham came near to Egypt, he locked 

 Sarah his wife in a chest, that none might behold her 

 beauty. But when he came to the place of paying cus- 

 toms, the officer said to him, "Pay custom." And he 

 said, "I will pay the 'custom. " They said to him, "Thou 

 carriest clothes ; " and he said, "I will pay for clothes." 

 Then they said, "Thou carriest gold; " and he replied, 

 " I will pay for gold." 



On this they cried, "Surely thou bearest fine silk; " 

 and he answered, "I will pay custom for the finest 

 silk." Then they said, "Surely it must be pearls that 

 thou takest with thee ; " and he only answered, " I will 

 pay for pearls." As they knew nothing more valuable 

 than pearls, they demanded that the box should be 

 opened, in order that they might determine what con- 

 cealed treasure it was for which the owner was willing 

 to pay custom sufficient for fine pearls. 



And the box was opened, when they found that 

 nothing in the opinion of Abraham was too costly or 

 pure to be compared with his wife Sarah. 



It is a singular Tact that pearls, regarded by some as 

 more beautiful than diamonds, are made by certain kinds 

 of clams and oysters. These are called pearl mussels and 

 pearl oysters. The lining of these shells, called nacre 

 (naker) or mother-of-pearl, is itself beautiful. The 

 mantle of the mollusk makes the shell. The fringe of 



