CHAPTER XV. 

 METHODS OF OPENING SHELLS AND EXTRACTING PEARLS. 



ONE who has never seen a mussel opened, and 

 who tries for the first time to open the shells of 

 a mollusk, finds that the animal holds its shells 

 together so tightly, he is liable to give up the task. 



Most animals are provided with some special means 

 of protecting themselves from their enemies. In this in- 

 stance the animal lives in a strong stone house and is pro- 

 vided with two strong muscles known as adductor mus- 

 cles which contract and close the doors in all times of 

 danger. 



The methods which are employed for the purpose of 

 opening the shells of the mussels are not the same in all 

 localities. In Scotland, Germany and some of the other 

 foreign countries the pearl hunters use an instrument 

 made especially for the purpose. This appliance has 

 sharp flat points which are inserted between the shells of 

 the mussel and then a lever is turned which causes the 

 shells to open far enough to see if they contain a pearl. 

 As the pearls are found near the edge at the posterior 

 end of the shells, it is easy to ascertain as to whether the 

 shell contains a pearl. 



The method is said to be of great value in conserving 

 the supply of mussels, as those which do not contain 



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