606 



THE PEAKL OYSTEK. 



The well-known Pearl Oyster is one of the most valuable of the 

 shell-bearing molluscs, furnishing the greater part of the pearls that 

 are set by jewellers and worn by ladies. 



The pearls are secreted by the animal in precisely the same manner as 



the nacre of the shell, and are, 

 indeed, the same substance, 

 formed into a globular shape 

 and disposed in concentric lay- 

 ers, so as to give that peculiar 

 translucency which is quite 

 indescribable, but is known 

 among jewellers by the name 

 of "water." 



The Pearl Oyster does not 

 produce its costly harvest un- 

 der six or seven years of age, 

 and it is therefore a matter of 

 importance that the bed should 

 be so managed that the young 

 Oysters may be suffered to re- 

 main in peace until they have 

 attained an age which renders them capable of repaying the expense 

 of procuring them, and that no part of the bed should be harried 

 where the Oysters are too small to produce pearls. 



The Oysters are now obtained by means of men who are trained to 



The Scallop [Pecten jacobeus). 



Outside of Shell. Inside of Shell. 



Pearl Oyster {Meleagrina Margaritifera), 

 the business, and who can remain under water for a considerable time 

 without being drowned. p:ach diver takes with him a net-bag for the 

 purpose of holding the Oysters, puts his foot into a stirrup to which 

 hangs a stone weighing about thirty pounds, and after taking a long 



