HINT TO PEARL- SEARCHERS. 287 



hope we shall soon know more. Should any of our 

 readers be induced to search for pearls, we give them 

 this hint from an old writer, "The shells that have 

 the best pearls are wrinkled, twisted, or bunched, and 

 not smooth or equal, as those that have none." Should 

 they fall in with any of good size and shape but defi- 

 cient in colour, let them remember this observation of 

 Sir Alexander Johnston, for many years President of His 

 Majesty's Council in Ceylon : "The pearl is composed 

 of strata or scales which are easily removed by a skil- 

 ful hand, without injury to that below, which retains all 

 its brilliancy. Pearls of a large size and perfect form, 

 but discoloured, have been bought at a low price, but 

 became exceedingly valuable by removing one or two of 

 the upper coats." 



