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 ironicall3^ "No bird. No 

 bird earn get along oyster. Little fella — green like 

 leaf. Sing out 'Ko-rog, ko-rog, ko-rog !' " 



"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 



