398 THE SCOTTISH PEARL-FISHERIES. [CHAP. ix. 



the round of the year we have always some kind of shell-fish 

 delicacy to feast upon. Were a little more attention devoted 

 to the economy of our fisheries, we might have lobsters and 

 crabs upon our tables all the year round. In my opinion 

 lobsters are as good for food in the winter time as during the 

 months in which they are most in demand. It may be hoped 

 that we shall get to understand all this much better by and by, 

 for at present we are sadly ignorant of the natural economy of 

 these, and indeed all other denizens of the deep. 



A new branch of shell- fishing has been lately revived in 

 Scotland. I allude to the pearl-fisheries which are now being 

 carried on in our large streams, and which, if prudently con- 

 ducted, may become a source of considerable wealth to the 

 Scottish people. 



The pearl is found in a species of shell-fish which is a 

 variety of the mussel, not an oyster, as is commonly supposed. 

 The pearl has been pronounced the most beautiful of all our 

 gems, coming, as it does, finished and perfect, direct from the 

 laboratory of nature, and consequently owing nothing to the 

 cunning of man except its discovery 



" Ocean's gem, the purest 



Of Nature's works ! what days of weary journeyings, 

 What sleepless nights, what toils on land and sea, 

 Are borne by men to gain thee !" 



In the Eastern seas professional divers are employed to go 

 down into the depths of the ocean in order to obtain them a 

 dangerous occupation, at one time only followed by condemned 

 criminals. The best-known fishery for pearls is that at Ceylon, 

 which was a very lucrative concern, at one time, in the hands 

 of the industrious Dutch. 



Pearls are of remote antiquity. In the time of Pliny they 

 held the highest rank among all gems, and the Eomans 

 esteemed and largely used them the ladies ornamenting, 

 with lavish extravagance, all parts of their dress with them ; 



