CHAPTER II. 

 THE ORIGIN OF THE PEARL. 



ONE may examine many thousands of mussels 

 without finding a pearl. This fact often induces 

 people to wonder why all mussels do not contain 

 gems ; or why any of the mollusks produce them ; or what 

 really causes the pearl to form. Many interested peo- 

 ple have studied the origin of pearls and many theories 

 have been advanced by noted scientists, but until the last 

 few years there seemed to be no solution of the problem. 



In order that we may consider this subject properly it 

 will be necessary to first show the difference between 

 the fine pearls and the various other nacreous formations. 

 The fine pearls are found in the posterior part of the 

 mussel, usually loose within the mantle of the mollusk. 

 Sometimes these become attached to the shell near the 

 mantle, and in very rare instances they go astray into 

 some other part of the shell. The other nacreous forma- 

 tions are the common, irregularly shaped pearls which 

 are not to be compared with the fine pearls in value. 

 These are baroques and slugs and are not formed in the 

 same manner as the fine pearls. 



They seem to originate from a number of causes. 

 Sometimes the shell of a mollusk is injured in an acci- 

 dent and some parts are broken off from the hinge or 

 others parts of the shell. Occasionally they seem to be 



