THE OYSTER. SQl 



Pearl oysters and pearl fisheries. 



perform movements perfectly consonant to its 

 wants, to the danger it apprehends, and to the 

 enemies by which it is attacked. Instead of 

 being destitute of sensation, oysters are even 

 capable of deriving some knowledge from expe- 

 rience. When removed from situations that are 

 Constantly covered with the sea, from want of 

 experience they open their shells, lose their, 

 water, and die in a few days ; but, when taken 

 from similar situations, and laid down in places 

 from which the sea occasionally retires, they feel 

 the effect of the sun's rays, or of the cold air, or 

 perhaps apprehend the attacks of enemies, and 

 accordingly learn to keep their shells close till 

 the tide returns. 



All oysters, and most shell fish, are found to 

 contain pearls ; but that which particularly ob- 

 tains the name of the pearl oyster, has a large 

 strong whitish shell, wrinkled and rough without, 

 and within smooth, and of a silver color. From 

 these the mother of pearl is taken, which is no- 

 thing more than the internal coats of the shell 

 resembling the pearl in color and consistence. 

 This, however, is of very little value, compared 

 with the pearl itself, for the obtaining of which 

 there are several places called pearl fisheries, 

 both in Asia and America; those'of the latter 

 place have indeed gone much of late into disuse ; 

 and the principal one now in Asia is in the Per- 

 sian Gulph, near the isle of Bahren; " where," 

 says Goldsmith, " the wretched people that are 



VOL. v. NO. 37. 2 s 



