LECTURE XL in 



some resemblance to the eye of a peacock's feather. 

 But the far more valuable products of this shell 

 are Pearls themselves, which are found sometimes 

 loose, and sometimes adhering to the shell, as well 

 as in the body of the animal. 



The pearl muscle, or Mytilus margaritiferus, is 

 most common about the shores of the East-Indian 

 islands, and particularly of Ceylon, where the 

 chief pearl-fisheries have long been established, and 

 of which an interesting description may be found 

 in the Asiatic Researches and other publications. 

 According to the tenor of these accounts, one of 

 the chief pearl-fisheries of Ceylon is carried on, at 

 different periods, in a semilunar bay called the 

 bay of Condatchy, surrounded by a waste, sandy 

 district : during the fishing-season this bay is said 

 to offer a scene equally novel and astonishing; 

 being frequented by a heterogeneous mixture of 

 thousands of people of different nations, casts, and 

 colours, residing in tents and huts erected on the 

 surrounding shores: you here meet with brokers, 

 jewellers, and merchants of all descriptions, as well 

 as dealers in all kinds of provision; but by far the 

 greater number are engaged in the pearl-business 

 itself; in drilling, sorting, and otherwise preparing 



