PEARLS 215 



time-beguiling tales, and one which, probably, is of 

 clean-cut truth. 



A huge gold-lip, found four fathoms deep, where the 

 sea grass sways indolently long, contained a tinted 

 pearl like : 



"That fella sitting down along a tree and sing out 

 along night time." 



"Flying fox ?" I guessed grimly. 



"No !" snapped Hamed indignantly. " 'Nother fella." 



"That bird which says 'chump, chump, chump ?' ' 

 I meekly asked. 



Again Hamed sneered ironically. "No bird. No 

 bird earn get along oyster. Little fella green like 

 leaf. Sing out 'Ko-rog, ko-rog, ko-rog T ' 



"Oh ! Frog !" 



"Yes. Like frog. Me call him 'ghouk' along my 

 country. That fella inside gold-lip. One inch long. 

 Leg, hand, mouth, eyes all asame. I bin get five hundred 

 pounds for that fella." 



Azure pearls in the similitude of tiny fish can be 

 vouched for by people far more careful of their facts 

 than Hamed fish which have intruded themselves on 

 the oysters and have been encased in nacre. Probably 

 the rarity which fell into Hamed 's hands was the pearly 

 presentment of a crustacean, for marine frogs are 

 infinitely rarer than pearls. Several molluscs admit 

 tenants, one particular species a rotund crab; but in 

 the case in point the wrong mansion was entered and, 

 so to speak, the obtruder was transformed. 



A common and neat industry in China is the pro- 

 duction of fraudulent pearls, pretty and in accordance 

 with submitted design, in which the co-operation of 

 the obedient but frail mussel is necessary. If a round 

 pearl is desired, a naked shot is introduced between 

 the valves so much to the discomfort of the animal 



